THE APEX TIMES
In a company-wide slate of ceremonies, community events, and broadcast programming, Disney and ESPN are spotlighting service members and veteran employees through activities spanning theme parks, volunteer kits, and TV specials.
The Walt Disney Company used Veterans Day to spotlight veterans and military families through a mix of in-person tributes, volunteer efforts, and media programming led by Disney’s parks and broadcast networks. Disney said the activities are intended to recognize service members and reflect what it describes as a long-running commitment to the military community, including thousands of veterans Disney employs.
At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disney said it will honor four “cast members” (the company’s term for employees) who served in uniform during a special flag retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom. This year’s honorees are U.S. Army veteran Eileen Underwood, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Robert Doiron, U.S. Air Force veteran Michele Imperial, and U.S. Navy veteran Eric Tidwell. The company framed the event as part of an annual tradition tied to Disney’s daily ceremonies at major resorts.
Disney also described its ongoing flag ceremonies at theme parks. It said Walt Disney World has held daily flag ceremonies since the resort opened in 1971, and Disneyland Resort in California since it opened in 1955. The company described the routine as a daily moment when guests and employees come together to pay tribute to veterans and active-duty service members.
At Disneyland Resort, Disney said more than 100 veteran cast members will march down Main Street, U.S.A., to Town Square. The ceremony includes accompaniment from the U.S. Marine 1st Division Band and a U.S. Marine Corps color guard. Disney said the honorees will then be recognized on the steps of the Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station, tying the tribute to a familiar downtown-style public space at the park.
Beyond the parks, Disney said it is supporting military families through partnerships and events. At Storyliving by Disney’s Cotino community in California, Disney said it worked with Blue Star Families to host military families from Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms for a special day inside the community. The day included activities for families inside the “Parr House,” inspired by a mid-century modern home featured in Pixar’s Incredibles 2, along with time with Pixar animators who drew children’s favorite Pixar characters and an appearance by Mickey Mouse.
Disney also said thousands of its volunteers, referred to as “VoluntEARS,” teamed up in Burbank, Glendale, and Anaheim to pack more than 7,000 kits for military families and service members, supporting USO and Blue Star Families. Separately, Walt Disney World VoluntEARS made holiday visits intended to bring “Disney holiday magic” to veteran and military families staying at Fisher Houses in Orlando, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, as part of an annual tradition. Disney described Fisher Houses as places where military and veteran families can stay while a loved one receives medical care.
On the media side, Disney said ESPN will continue its annual “America’s Heroes Veterans Week” tribute from November 6 to 14. The company described the initiative as a cross-platform effort across television, digital, radio, and social, designed to recognize veterans, active service members, and the families that support them. Disney also said the week will include storytelling and live elements and is aimed at strengthening programs that support veterans and military spouses as they move into later life stages.
ESPN’s SportsCenter program, Disney said, will include military-themed storytelling and a specific segment called “SportsCenter Veterans Day Special presented by USAA.” Disney said the 30-minute special will air Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and will include an employee roll call. Disney attributed the emphasis on action and belonging to ESPN Sports Marketing Vice President Brian Iglesias, who described the commitment as personal to him as a Marine veteran and said the company is using the 2026 Veterans Week platform to share stories and celebrate veteran colleagues.
Disney said ABC Owned Television Stations will also highlight veterans across their markets with on-air and streaming coverage, digital and social storytelling, and community activations. It pointed to live broadcasts of major Veterans Day parades in New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Fresno, along with a veteran service organization spotlight in San Francisco and an employee recognition initiative in Raleigh-Durham. The company added that ABC News Live will premiere “American Valor,” a three-part docuseries celebrating America’s active and retired service members and the USO’s 85th anniversary. Disney said the series follows ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff visiting military installations with celebrities touring with the USO, and that Jeopardy host Ken Jennings, comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, and actor-comedian-musician Craig Robinson will join segments in various locations, with production in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
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