Saturday was Armed Forces Day, and Disney honored a Magic Kingdom Cast Member who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Veteran Alex Stromski served around the world until he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1967 and “now serves guests at Walt Disney World Resort in his role as a cast member at Pinocchio’s Village Haus in Magic Kingdom Park.”
The Magic Kingdom honored Stromski with a special sunrise flag-raising ceremony with his family and friends. Stromski helped the Magic Kingdom flag detail raise the flag and was recognized by management as well as members of Disney’s SALUTE Veteran diversity group.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Alex said, holding a shadowbox of a flag flown over the park the day prior in his honor. “This is something I never would have expected.” Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle said Stromski was also given a Disney challenge coin at the ceremony.
“Alex enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 at the end of WWII as he felt the calling to serve and follow in the footsteps of a friend who served in the Navy in between the first and second World Wars. Alex later earned a commission as an officer and went to flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, where he was classmates with future astronaut and lunar pioneer Neil Armstrong. Alex served around the world in maritime patrol squadrons, worked with experimental naval aircraft such as dirigibles, and served on the team responsible for keeping the peace in the demilitarized zone following the signing of the Korean War armistice.”
When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, Stromski became a frequent visitor and, eventually, an Annual Passholder. “I loved how Walt had great respect for the military,” Alex said. “I realized that this was something I wanted to be a part of, so I applied and got a full-time job at Pinocchio’s Village Haus in 2013.”
“I love helping create the experiences that families will remember for years,” he said. “I especially enjoy meeting the military families and veterans who visit us.”
Stromski and thousands of other military veterans who work for The Walt Disney Company are being saluted for National Military Appreciation Month.