WWII Veteran Celebrates 101st Birthday at Magic Kingdom. Herb Maneloveg just celebrated a huge milestone. On January 25, the World War II veteran turned 101 years old, and he spent the day at Walt Disney World.
Herb was a private in the U.S. Army’s 106th Infantry Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Purple Heart for his service. To honor him, Disney invited him to be part of the daily Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom.
The day started with Herb and his family heading down Main Street, U.S.A. They got a front-row seat for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, where characters like Mickey and Minnie stopped to say hello. Herb said the best part wasn’t just the park, but having his family there with him. He called it “better than any wish I’ve ever had.”
His daughter, Susan, said the attention he got from the crowds and the staff was really sweet. She described her dad as a great soldier, but an even better father and grandfather.
The Flag Retreat happens every day at sunset. It’s a tradition that started back when Disneyland first opened in 1955. A veteran is usually chosen to help lower the flag, and it’s a way for the park to show respect to the military.
For Herb, it was more than just a ceremony. It was a way for people to say thanks for what he did over 80 years ago. As the country gets ready for its 250th anniversary, Disney says they want to keep telling stories like Herb’s.
WWII Veteran Celebrates 101st Birthday at Magic Kingdom
