Disney's Magic Kingdom honors 100-year-old WWII veteran during flag retreat ceremony

Surrounded by loved ones, retired U.S. Army Col. William "Bill" A. Connelly, 100, was honored astatine Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom successful Orlando connected Friday evening during a emblem retreat ceremony. 

Connelly stood gangly and arrogant arsenic helium saluted the emblem that was risen from half-staff successful grant of precocious erstwhile President Jimmy Carter earlier being lowered and folded to beryllium fixed to him. 

Afterward, Disney formed members lined up to shingle Connelly's hand. Something unfamiliar happened next, erstwhile parkland visitors besides lined up to convey him for his service.

Connelly said helium "felt great" aft the ceremony. The veteran and his household are not lone Disney fans who person been to the parks and connected a Disney cruise, but his son-in-law is simply a Disney formed member. 

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William "Bill" A. Connelly, 100, salutes successful beforehand of Cinderella Castle astatine Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom connected Jan. 10, 2025.  (Pilar Arias)

Bill Connelly, U.S. Army retiree, holds a 100th day pin up anterior to being honored during Disney's emblem retreat ceremonial astatine Magic Kingdom. (Pilar Arias)

When asked what his concealed is to a agelong life, Connelly said, "Having blessed radical astir you."

Connelly, primitively from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, was drafted into the Army erstwhile helium was 18. He served with the 115th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, and fought successful the conflict connected D-Day astatine Omaha Beach, Normandy, according to a biography shared by his family.

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William "Bill" A. Connelly earlier leaving Japan successful 1945.  (Connelly Family)

The Army allowed him to decorativeness precocious school, spell to assemblage wherever helium was successful the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, gain his bachelor of arts grade and re-enlist successful the Army arsenic an officer. 

He was progressive successful some the European and Pacific theaters during World War II, which included the landing astatine Normandy. He spent 27 years successful the military, and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service successful a Combat Zone. 

Photos of Bill Connelly successful Osaka, Japan, during the concern successful 1945.  (Connelly Family)

Most of Connelly's Army beingness was spent moving with the Counterintelligence Corps. He is the begetter of 3 daughters, a gramps of six, a great-grandfather of six and became a centenarian connected Saturday.

Connelly's woman of 63 years, Jean, passed distant successful 2016.

William "Bill" A. Connelly arsenic sergeant successful Japan, showcasing his ribbons for American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater and European Theater with a Bronze star. (Connelly Family)

The WWII seasoned cracked immoderate jokes portion speaking with Fox News Digital, and his humility shined done erstwhile helium said his work successful the subject was "nothing special."

The regular emblem retreat ceremonial contented successful Main Street, USA municipality quadrate dates backmost to the park's opening time connected Oct. 1, 1971. It features the pledge of allegiance, the nationalist anthem and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

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"The ceremonial is simply a tribute—a convey you to veterans for their service, sacrifice and dedication to protecting our country," Disney World's website reads.