My grandfather, Bill Neidig, served the county in the Army Air Corps from 1943 - 1946 as a Lt. who flew domestic transports during WWII. Unfortunately, the need for airmen was reduced after the war so he was unable to continue with his service and he had to leave the service. He has always been one of my best friends and he and my grandmother practically raised me growing up so my mom and dad could work and go to school. After finding out about the Main Street USA Flag Retreat last summer, I felt that this would be the perfect honor to try to give him, a man who loves his country, family, and the mouse. After the Color Guard came out and got him ready (I didn't tell him about this until about 5 minutes beforehand), the Main Street Philharmonic played the Star Spangled Banner while the flag was coming down, then he was presented with it while the Dapper Dans sung God Bless America, then the Philharmonic played a medley of the theme songs from all four branches of the Armed Forces. Finally, he was able to march with this flag back up Main Street USA where the Color Guard secured the flag for the evening backstage. The last photo is the proud family... from left, my wife Karen, son Billy, Me, Bill, and my mother, Barbara. The experience was amazing... for one 15 minute period, the Magic Kingdom was HIS. Walking into the Magic Kingdom will never be the same for any of us... The rest is well, here are the photos... [This attachment has been purged. Older attachments are purged from time to time to conserve disk space. Please feel free to repost your image.]
That was awesome Tim! It's great that you got to do that for your grandfather. I never really knew my grandparents so it's cool that you get to do nice things for yours
I agree with all of your comments. It was a very proud moment for all of us with nary a dry eye for any of us.
What a proud moment for your family, without people like your grandfather it makes you wonder if there would be a WDW. My grandfather was in the Royal Navy convoying supplies from the US to the UK before taking part in D-Day.
Great pictures Tim. This is something to cherish and be so proud of. Very glad you got to have such a moving experience!
Tim, I know how much you wanted this to happen. I got to see the Flag Retreat for the first time last October and was very moved by the experience. It is something I will not soon forget. But, to be personally involved and watch a loved one be honored is something I that I know you will cherish forever. From now on, each time you walk into the Magic Kingdom you will think of your Grandfather. Thanks for the pics!!
What a wonderful memory for you and for your grandfather! I always make it a point to watch the flag retreat ceremony, and it seems more and more people are catching on to how special this is.
That was really moving reading about it and seeing the pics, Tim - let alone how you felt. Lovely memory, thanks for sharing it
