Whom You Know: #PatrioticPeachy @Disney Honors 101-Year-Old World War II Female Navy Veteran

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

#PatrioticPeachy @Disney Honors 101-Year-Old World War II Female Navy Veteran

Dorothy "Pat" Rudd honored as "Veteran of the Day" during daily Flag Retreat ceremony in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney honored World War II female U.S. Navy veteran Dorothy "Pat" Rudd as "Veteran of the Day" during the June 7th Flag Retreat ceremony in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. A pioneer and heroine, Pat volunteered and joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program to perform shore-based duties for the U.S. Navy after U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Public Law 689 in 1942.

World War II and U.S. Navy veteran, Dorothy “Pat” Rudd, visits Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort. Pat’s late husband and U.S. Navy veteran, Gerald Rudd, helped with the construction of Frontierland prior to the park opening on Oct. 1, 1971. (Photo credit: Disney)

World War II and U.S. Navy veteran, Dorothy “Pat” Rudd, speaks with Magic Kingdom Security cast members prior to her being honored as Veteran-of-the-Day during the daily Flag Retreat Ceremony in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. (Photo credit: Disney)

World War II and U.S. Navy veteran, Dorothy “Pat” Rudd, is honored by Disney cast members and park guests on Main Street U.S.A. as “Veteran of the Day” during the daily Flag Retreat ceremony in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida (Photo credit: Disney)

The law established the Women's Reserve as a branch of the Naval Reserve and authorized women to serve in the U.S. Navy for the duration of the war, plus six months. Stationed in Washington, DC, Pat became one of the first 200 WAVES to be deployed overseas – in her case, to the then Territory of Hawai'i. There, she served as an educator, teaching service members how to read and write and helped in the hospital attending the wounded.

Pat met her husband, Gerald, at Pearl Harbor, who was active-duty Navy himself and were married for 71 years. Prior to participating in the Flag Retreat ceremony, Pat visited Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, which her late husband helped bring to reality. Gerald was part of the construction team that built the structures in this area of the theme park, as well as parts of EPCOT and the original resort hotels of Walt Disney World.

"I was really happy the buildings he helped build in Frontierland are still there," said Rudd. "I'm proud of him and that his work has brought so much joy to so many people here at Disney."

Honoring Pat during the day's events were members of Disney SALUTE, a veteran employee resource group, including Susan Finnigan, Lead Project Manager for Disney marketing and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

"Pat's unwavering spirit and commitment to duty are an inspiration to fellow servicewomen," said Finnigan. "It was an honor to be able to join my fellow veterans here at Disney to help celebrate a trailblazer and hero like Pat."

On June 12, 1948, three years after the end of World War II and Rudd's naval service, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act into law, officially opening the door for women to serve as full, permanent members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. The day is recognized annually as Women Veterans Day.

Disney has long honored those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces throughout the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company. That tradition continues today with events like the daily Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom, where an active-duty military member or veteran is selected from the park's daily visitors to be honored.

Disney is honored to offer a heartfelt tribute to the unsung female military heroes of the past and all those who continue to serve today.

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Disney Parks, Experiences and Products brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company's powerful brands and franchises — including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, ESPN, Twentieth Century Studios and National Geographic — into the daily lives of families and fans around the world to create magical memories that last a lifetime.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim, California, on July 17, 1955, he created a unique destination built around storytelling and immersive experiences, ushering in a new era of family entertainment. More than 60 years later, Disney has grown into one of the world's leading providers of family travel and leisure experiences, with iconic businesses including six resort destinations with 12 theme parks and 53 resorts in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line fleet of five ships with three more planned in the coming years; a luxurious family beach resort in Hawaii; a popular vacation ownership program; and two award-winning guided tour adventure businesses. Disney Imagineers are the creative force behind Disney theme parks, resort hotels and cruise ships globally.

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