Veterans working at Disney focus on the corporate’s deep ties to America’s armed forces and its continued efforts to help veterans and their households by means of hiring packages, reductions and neighborhood recognition.
Disney is celebrating its decades-long ties to American servicemembers — each lively and retired — with particular Veterans Day occasions, clothes and extra. Two veterans who now work for the Home of Mouse informed FOX Enterprise that they’re proud to share within the legacy of an organization that honors their service and sacrifice.
“It was very appealing to me when I was looking for my next chapter after retiring from military service,” Cappy Surette, a retired U.S. Navy captain, informed FOX Enterprise. “And to learn that Disney has roots that go all the way back to our founders, Walt and Roy Disney, who served their country during World War I, it was really pretty amazing.”
Surrette served within the Navy for 22 years earlier than becoming a member of Disney in 2012, as the corporate launched its “Heroes Work Here” initiative to rent, practice and help veterans. Now senior supervisor of communications for Disney Experiences, he additionally helped spearhead the corporate’s first military-inspired merchandise line, the “Honor Collection” — affectionately referred to as “Mickey-flage” for its hidden Mickey designs.
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Disney has made its military-inspired “Honor Collection” an annual custom. (The Walt Disney Firm / FOXBusiness)
“To see guests and cast members walking around proudly wearing that and blazoned with the word ‘honor’ and feeling so proud of their service and appreciating Disney for recognizing it and thanking them for their service is really just pretty magical,” Surrette stated.
Different Disney-owned firms, like ESPN, are participating in celebrating veterans. ESPN Vice President of Advertising Brian Iglesias spoke with FOX Enterprise about his expertise as a veteran working on the firm and the way his time within the Marine Corps usually is useful.
“I think the most important thing is when you’re in the service, you work with people from all different walks of life. Men, women, they could be [from] rich backgrounds or poor backgrounds and some of them are from other countries. And you really understand how to work as a team, how to be a leader, how to be a follower. How to manage people that are different than you. And that’s [a] real special skill that you can’t get anywhere else,” Iglesias stated.
Iglesias served within the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years, together with 14 years of lively responsibility and 12 years of reserve responsibility. He informed FOX Enterprise that the power to work with individuals representing a large spectrum of experiences is the “special sauce that the veterans bring to the company.”
Members of the U.S. Military’s third Infantry Division Band marched down Most important Road U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom park throughout Disney’s celebration of the U.S. Military’s 250th birthday on June 14, 2025. (Disney)
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Along with the merchandise and occasions marking Veterans Day, Disney additionally launched a video which featured Iglesias alongside a number of different veterans.
“You gave your commitment to the country so you deserve to have an opportunity to work for a company that will absolutely give it back to you,” one veteran stated within the video.
On Veterans Day, Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California will probably be holding particular flag retreat ceremonies in honor of those that served. Whereas these ceremonies are achieved day by day, those held on Veterans Day are used to acknowledge veterans who are actually Disney staff.
Disney World’s iconic Spaceship Earth in EPCOT lit up with the American flag. (Walt Disney World Resort)
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“Walking down Main Street USA, you know, in Magic Kingdom, in Walt Disney World or Disneyland in California, you feel the sense of America. And having worn the uniform of our nation and defending it, it’s really just extra special to me to be able to be a rich part of this, carrying on the tradition of so many veterans that helped shape the Walt Disney Company over our 100-plus year history,” Surrette stated.
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Disney’s web site notes that the corporate’s army connections run deep: Walt Disney drove an ambulance for the Pink Cross throughout World Struggle I, whereas his brother Roy served as a petty officer within the Navy. Since launching “Heroes Work Here,” along with hiring veterans, Disney has donated greater than $20 million to organizations helping veterans and their households.
As Disney marks Veterans Day, the corporate says its longtime bond with service members stays central to its id — and the way forward for its workforce.
