WWII and US Army veteran Herb Maneloveg was honored on his 101st birthday during the daylong Disney World Flag Retreat, Jan. 25, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Courtesy Disney)
The “happiest place on Earth” just got a little more magical for one birthday visitor.
Walt Disney World Resort celebrated World War II veteran Herb Maneloveg’s 101st birthday during a special flag-raising ceremony at Magic Kingdom Park, Jan. 25, Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
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The celebration began for Maneloveg and his family with a walk down Main Street’s Main Street and a stop to view Cinderella Castle. This was followed by a special viewing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
The parade featured beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
Maneloveg expressed his happiness and gratitude for the special celebration and shared, “It’s all I could ask for.”
World War II and US Army veteran Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday with his children and grandchildren in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Disney)
“It’s a better wish than any wish I’ve ever had,” said Maneloveg after watching the show. “For me the most important thing is family, and they exist.”
Maneloveg served as a private in the US Army’s 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in battle and later awarded the Purple Heart.
“I was in the service [for] two years, two months [and] two days,” Maneloveg told Disney Parks in a post on Instagram.
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“When we were 18, I was at Penn State, and we were sent to the military camp, Fort McClellan. [in Alabama]. We had 13 weeks of basic training until D-Day and on D-Day, everything changed,” Maneloveg continued in the post.
Maneloveg’s family members, who were present, expressed gratitude for the celebration.
“My father is a good guy, he was a worker, but he was a great father, husband and grandfather,” said Susan Maneloveg, his daughter. “Thanks to Disney and the way they honored him. The show was great, he got everyone’s attention, which was great.”
Herb Maneloveg greets Pinocchio during the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney)
The American flag is lowered every day, according to the Disney Parks Blog. Park says it’s “a time for patriotism and reflection.”
“[Retiring the flag] it has an even deeper meaning when we honor the bravery and dedication of the young veterans [Maneloveg],” Cappy Surette, senior communications manager for the Disney Experiences Corporate Social Responsibility team, said.
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Surette said Disney’s interest in America’s military veterans, service members and their families began with Walt and Roy O. Disney, who both served the country during World War I.
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Walt Disney worked in the Red Cross Ambulance Corps. He and his friend, Russell Maas, then found uniforms and reported to Camp Scott, a makeshift camp at a burned-out amusement park near the University of Chicago, according to the Walt Disney Family Museum.
After contracting the flu, Disney joined another company that was waiting to be transported to France. Despite the end of the war, the company sent 50 men, including Disney, to help with the work, according to the museum.
Herb Maneloveg celebrates his 101st birthday in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. (Disney)
The Magic Kingdom has hosted daily flag ceremonies since 1955, and Disneyland since 1971, to honor veterans and service members.
Each day, a visitor is chosen from among the park’s daily visitors to serve as the park’s “US Military Representative of the Day” during the event.
“The thing I would ask is if my wife, who died 20 years ago, is still with us,” said Maneloveg. “But [my family] it makes me and him proud to be here.”
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Ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebration, Disney World reaffirmed its commitment to honoring those who have served.
“We didn’t just see the ceremony, but we saw history for ourselves,” said Surette. “We are honored to salute [Maneloveg] and honor his military service to our nation.”
