Disney World has hosted a special ceremony to honour one of its cast members who served in World War II.
In honour of National Military Appreciation Month, the Florida attraction paid tribute to Alex Stromski, a veteran of the US Navy, with an early morning flag-raising ceremony at Magic Kingdom.
Stromski enlisted in the Navy when he was just 17 years old and attended flight school with future NASA astronaut and first-man-on-the-moon Neil Armstrong.
During his time in the military, he served in maritime patrol squadrons and worked with experimental naval aircraft. He also worked on the team responsible for peacekeeping after the signing of the Korean War armistice.
Following a decades-long military career, he retired as a lieutenant commander in 1967.
Stromski’s friends and family were invited to the event, which saw him raise the star spangled banner over Town Square with the Magic Kingdom flag detail.
He was also presented with a framed version of the US flag flown at the park the previous day in recognition of his service.
“I’m honoured and humbled. This is something I never would have expected,” he said.
An annual passholder since 1971, it was Stromski’s love of Disney combined with his military experience that led him to his current role at Disney World. Now aged 92, he works at Pinocchio’s Village House in Magic Kingdom, a position he has held for the past eight years.
“I love how Walt had great respect for the military. I realised that this was something I wanted to be a part of, so I applied and got a full-time job at Pinocchio’s Village House in 2013,” he said.
“I love helping create the experiences that families will remember for years. I especially enjoy meeting the military families and veterans who visit us.”
The ceremony saw Stromski raise the US flag over Town Square CREDIT: DISNEY
Stromski was presented with a framed US flag in recognition of his service CREDIT: DISNEY
