Sailors and Marines on board USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12) Send Special Thank You To Disney CMs

 

Mouseketeer’s on SHREVEPORT Lend an Ear

From across the ocean, Sailors and Marines on board USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12) wanted to send a message loud and clear to Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom. So, on the first day of a new year, in the midst of another day in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, some of America’s best fighting men and women paused in their duties to say “thank you”.

The reasons for this special “thank you” began on December 6, 2001, when Walt Disney World and Disneyland announced a special program to honor our Armed Forces. “Disney’s Armed Forces Salute” includes a whole array of benefits for military members and their families including complimentary admission and significant discounts at theme parks, resorts and the Disney Cruise Line. Other “Armed Forces Salute” initiatives include Disney troop visits, video donations of first run movies to military bases, and recorded holiday messages heard by America’s troops around the world.

“Project Uplift”, another initiative of the “Armed Forces Salute”, under the direction of Disneyland’s Mike Woodhall, has a special place in the hearts of SHREVEPORT Sailors and Marines. Under this program, Disneyland employees, including cast and crewmembers of Disney shows, wrote words of encouragement, thanks, and hope on Disneyland postcards. The postcards were mailed along with other Disneyland memorabilia to various Navy ships at sea. The crew of the USS SHREVEPORT counts itself highly fortunate to be a recipient of these tokens of a thoughtful nation.

In thanks for all the warm and supportive thoughts from Mickey and his friends from Disneyland, SHREVEPORT’s crew assembled on the flight deck to say “thank you”, and pay tribute to “Project Uplift’s” resounding success. In true Mouseketeer style, Sailors and Marines banded together with postcards held high, to form the shape of Disney’s most famous and lovable mascot, Mickey Mouse. “The heartfelt words on the postcards really touched our Sailors and Marines, many whom are away from home during the holidays for the first time” said Captain Bill Valentine, SHREVEPORT’s commanding officer. “The immense support we receive from the folks back home help remind us why we’re all out here”, added Petty Officer First Class Troy Williams. In the spirit of “Project Uplift”, project manager Mike Woodhall sent a special message via e-mail to all of SHREVEPORT’s Mouseketeer’s: “From the happiest place on earth to the men and women of the USS Shreveport, we wish you all a safe and peaceful New Year and a speedy return home to your loved ones.”

So, when someone asks a SHREVEPORT Sailor or Marine where they’ll go when they return home from Operation Enduring Freedom, the answer may very well be: “I’m going to Disneyland!”

By LCDR Tim Reckers

--posted January 16, 2002

--Source: USS Shreveport Press Release