WWII Veteran Herb Maneloveg Celebrates 101st Birthday at Disney World
WWII and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg was honored for his 101st birthday during Disney World’s daily Flag Retreat ceremony, Jan. 25, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtesy Disney)
The “happiest place on Earth” just got even more magical for one guest celebrating his birthday.
Walt Disney World Resort celebrated World War II veteran Herb Maneloveg’s 101st birthday during a special flag retreat ceremony at the park’s Magic Kingdom on January 25 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
US AMUSEMENT PARKS FOCUSING ON FAMILY, NEW INVESTMENTS TO WIN BACK CASH-STRAPPED CONSUMERS
The celebration began with Maneloveg and his family strolling down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, stopping to admire the iconic Cinderella Castle. This was followed by a special viewing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, featuring beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Maneloveg expressed his joy and gratitude for the event, stating, “It’s all I could ask for.”
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday alongside his children and grandchild in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Disney)
“It’s a wish that is better than any wish I’ve ever had,” Maneloveg said after watching the parade. “To me, the important thing is family, and they are here.”
Maneloveg served as a Private in the U.S. Army’s 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in battle and later awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries.
“I was in service [for] two years, two months [and] two days,” Maneloveg shared with Disney Parks in an Instagram post.
A SALUTE TO HEROES: DISNEY KEEPS ITS LONGTIME BOND WITH AMERICA’S VETERANS ALIVE
“When we were 18, I was at Penn State, and we were sent to a military camp, Fort McClellan [in Alabama]. We had 13 weeks of basic training until D-Day and on D-Day, everything changed,” he continued in the post.
Family members in attendance expressed their gratitude for the celebration. “My father is a great guy; he was a serviceman, but he was also a great father, husband, and grandfather,” said his daughter, Susan Maneloveg. “Thanks to Disney for how they honored him. The parade was great; he got attention from everybody, which was so sweet.”
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg greeting Pinocchio during the Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. He was honored as the Armed Forces Representative of the Day during the park’s daily Flag Retreat ceremony. (Disney)
The American flag is retired daily at Disney parks, creating a “patriotic and reflective moment.” Cappy Surette, senior manager for communications on the Disney Experiences Corporate Social Responsibility team, emphasized that “[retiring the flag] carries an even deeper meaning when we pay tribute to the courage and sacrifices of veterans like [Maneloveg].”
DISNEY CONTINUES TRADITION OF HONORING AMERICAN MILITARY WITH PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS
Disney’s commitment to honoring U.S. military veterans and service members dates back to Walt and Roy O. Disney, both of whom served during World War I. Walt Disney was part of the Red Cross Ambulance Corps and later joined a company awaiting transport to France, even after the war ended.
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney)
The Magic Kingdom has hosted daily flag ceremonies since 1955, and Disneyland has followed suit since 1971, honoring veterans and service members. Each day, a guest is selected to serve as the park’s “U.S. Armed Forces Representative of the Day” during the ceremony.
“The only thing I could ask for is if my wife, who passed away 20 years ago, were still with us,” Maneloveg reflected. “But [my family] made she and I proud of being here.”
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As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Disney World reaffirms its commitment to honoring those who have served. “Not only did we witness a ceremony, but we witnessed history,” Surette said. “We were honored to salute [Maneloveg] and pay tribute to his military service to our nation.”
WWII and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg was honored for his 101st birthday during Disney World’s daily Flag Retreat ceremony, Jan. 25, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtesy Disney)
The “happiest place on Earth” just got even more magical for one guest celebrating his birthday.
Walt Disney World Resort celebrated World War II veteran Herb Maneloveg’s 101st birthday during a special flag retreat ceremony at the park’s Magic Kingdom on January 25 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
US AMUSEMENT PARKS FOCUSING ON FAMILY, NEW INVESTMENTS TO WIN BACK CASH-STRAPPED CONSUMERS
The celebration began with Maneloveg and his family strolling down Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, stopping to admire the iconic Cinderella Castle. This was followed by a special viewing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, featuring beloved characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Maneloveg expressed his joy and gratitude for the event, stating, “It’s all I could ask for.”
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday alongside his children and grandchild in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Disney)
“It’s a wish that is better than any wish I’ve ever had,” Maneloveg said after watching the parade. “To me, the important thing is family, and they are here.”
Maneloveg served as a Private in the U.S. Army’s 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in battle and later awarded a Purple Heart for his injuries.
“I was in service [for] two years, two months [and] two days,” Maneloveg shared with Disney Parks in an Instagram post.
A SALUTE TO HEROES: DISNEY KEEPS ITS LONGTIME BOND WITH AMERICA’S VETERANS ALIVE
“When we were 18, I was at Penn State, and we were sent to a military camp, Fort McClellan [in Alabama]. We had 13 weeks of basic training until D-Day and on D-Day, everything changed,” he continued in the post.
Family members in attendance expressed their gratitude for the celebration. “My father is a great guy; he was a serviceman, but he was also a great father, husband, and grandfather,” said his daughter, Susan Maneloveg. “Thanks to Disney for how they honored him. The parade was great; he got attention from everybody, which was so sweet.”
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg greeting Pinocchio during the Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. He was honored as the Armed Forces Representative of the Day during the park’s daily Flag Retreat ceremony. (Disney)
The American flag is retired daily at Disney parks, creating a “patriotic and reflective moment.” Cappy Surette, senior manager for communications on the Disney Experiences Corporate Social Responsibility team, emphasized that “[retiring the flag] carries an even deeper meaning when we pay tribute to the courage and sacrifices of veterans like [Maneloveg].”
DISNEY CONTINUES TRADITION OF HONORING AMERICAN MILITARY WITH PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS
Disney’s commitment to honoring U.S. military veterans and service members dates back to Walt and Roy O. Disney, both of whom served during World War I. Walt Disney was part of the Red Cross Ambulance Corps and later joined a company awaiting transport to France, even after the war ended.
World War II and U.S. Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday in front of Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney)
The Magic Kingdom has hosted daily flag ceremonies since 1955, and Disneyland has followed suit since 1971, honoring veterans and service members. Each day, a guest is selected to serve as the park’s “U.S. Armed Forces Representative of the Day” during the ceremony.
“The only thing I could ask for is if my wife, who passed away 20 years ago, were still with us,” Maneloveg reflected. “But [my family] made she and I proud of being here.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Disney World reaffirms its commitment to honoring those who have served. “Not only did we witness a ceremony, but we witnessed history,” Surette said. “We were honored to salute [Maneloveg] and pay tribute to his military service to our nation.”
