Magical Memory Monday

If you know me at all, you know that I like Disney. In fact, I don't just "like" Disney, I obsess Disney! Throughout the years, my friends, my family, and most importantly, my husband have watched me grow and mature into a true Disney GEEK.

Just recently, I was lucky enough to be asked to join a very special Disney group called the Disney Dream Depot.

The Disney Dream Depot was started by a new friend of mine (via facebook) named Megan Sullivan. Megan created our little (but fast-growing) group out of her love for all things Disney.

The Disney Dream Depot is a wonderful group, and I am excited to be on the ground floor of this new venture. I am thankful every day for Megan's invitation to join both their group and their "board."

One thing the Disney Dream Depot does every Monday is what we like to call Magical Memory Monday. Each team member shares a (DUH) Magical (Disney) Memory. Some of us post our memories on our group's facebook wall, and some of us share via blogs.

As you can see, I'm sharing via blog this week. (Last week, my memory was on facebook.)

My Monday Magical Memory comes from our most recent trip to Disney World this past September....

It was Tuesday, September 23, 2009. It was our family's traditional "day off" from the Parks and also our traditional Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party day.

My sons and I (Greg doesn't go with us to the Party--not worth the money, he says--but remember--I am obsessed w/all things Disney) arrived at the Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m. (That is when they let party goers into the Park for the evening.)

DS12 wanted to walk down Main Street and look through the shops for this year's Party pins, and my DS9 wanted an ice cream. So, I let the 12YO make his way down Main Street a bit, and I stood near the flag pole as DS9 got an ice cream.

As time passed and it grew closer to 5 p.m., I decided I wanted to witness one of my most favorite things at the Magic Kingdom--the Flag Retreat. The weather was unseasonably hot this year, and Josh's ice cream was melting fast, making him a very sticky boy.

The crowds were beginning to pick up a bit, so we found an empty spot near a guard rail and steadied ourselves to watch the Flag Retreat. Soon after putting all of my stuff down in our "spot," one of the Dapper Dan's (Disney's barber shop quartet) approached us.

Before I knew it, we were having a very lively conversation, and out of the blue (well, for us--certainly not for this Dapper Dan member), he said to my very sticky 9YO, "Hey, maybe you can help me. I'm looking for someone."

: "Yeah?"
DD: "Yeah. Someone that looks about your age and about your height."
Us: "Really?"
DD: "Yeah, I need somebody to help us with the Flag Retreat. Would you be interested Josh?"

Well, Josh looked over at me--with that ice cream melting everywhere--and said, "What do I have to do?"

Dapper Dan told him he would be leading the entire Park in the Pledge of Allegiance! Josh looked at me like he had never even HEARD of the Pledge of Allegiance! On no! Was I going to lose this special moment in time?

In my best Mommy encouragement voice, I said, "Oh Josh! Lucky you! You KNOW the Pledge of Allegiance! You can do it! You say it every day at school!"

Seeing that his Mommy was right, Josh agreed to do it. Our little Dapper Dan guy lead Josh over to the middle of the flag pole hub and proceeded to give him directions on when and how he should proceed.

Can I tell you all something? If you have NEVER (ever) in your life witnessed the Magic Kingdom's Flag Retreat ceremony, you will not be complete until you do!

It is one of the most serious and solemn things they do at Disney. Every day, they pick a military member or Veteran who will assist the guards in the Flag Retreat. They introduce them to everyone, and I think (though I'm not entirely sure about this) they give him the flag once it is down and folded.

It is truly a great moment when you witness it, and it certainly makes you proud to be an American.

Well....When the ceremony started that day, and time came for Josh to lead everyone in saying the Pledge, this Disney Mama just about cried!

They announced Josh's name and city over the P.A. system, and then, they gave the mic to Josh!

Hearing his little, sweet voice booming out over all of the Magic Kingdom just about DID ME IN! It was truly a wonderful moment in time. One that neither I nor Josh (I hope) will never forget.

After the ceremony was over, Josh got to walk out with the Magic Kingdom's marching band and the Dapper Dan's as they exited the flag pole hub. Wow! An incredible moment in time, and one that came so unexpectedly!

To this day, I still can't believe that my little Josh got picked to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the Flag Retreat ceremony at the Magic Kingdom!

It was certainly a Magical Memory that this Disney Mama will never forget!

Happy MAGICAL MEMORY MONDAY everybody! Do you have a Magical Memory too?