Disney Honors 101-Year-Old Navy Veteran for World War II Service

101-year-old World War II veteran Dorothy “Pat” Rudd has led a fulfilling life. The former Navy heroine was recently honored as “Veteran of the Day” during the Flag Retreat Ceremony in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Pay has an extensive and interesting history in the Navy but also has ties to creating several areas of Disney World in Florida. Keep reading to discover Pat’s valiant past and how she had a part in bringing the Magic Kingdom to life.

World War II Veteran Gets Disney Salute

101 years on Earth is a remarkable feat, but Pat Rudd’s life has been way more exciting than that. Her decision to join the Navy is eventually what connected her to Disney. She volunteered and joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (shortened as WAVES) program and performed shore-based duties for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Pat was originally stationed in Washington, DC. However, fate made her one of the first 200 WAVES to be deployed to the then Territory of Hawai’i. Her role in the Pacific involved educating service members on reading and writing. She also spent time helping care for the wounded in the hospital. It was here that she met her future husband.

Navy Veteran Meets Disney Parks Constructor

Gerald Rudd was an active-duty Navy member stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Pat met her late husband while serving in the Pacific, and the two eventually married. They celebrated 71 strong years of marriage together, with Gerald working for the Walt Disney Company during the construction of the Magic Kingdom in Florida.

During her honors at the Flag Retreat Ceremony, Pat visited Frontierland, where her late husband worked on the construction team to build the structures still standing today. He also had a hand in creating EPCOT and the original Resort hotels surrounding Magic Kingdom Park.

 

Pat was overjoyed to see her husband’s work still standing tall at the theme park. Disney has provided video footage of her special day. The ticket prices may have changed, but some things are just evergreen. She voiced her happiness, stating:

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

It wasn’t until several years after World War II that President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act into law. This officially started the path for women to serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Heroes like Pat Rudd helped pave the way for this historic milestone.

Disney’s Flag Retreat Ceremony has long been a daily routine at Magic Kingdom. The Park recognizes one active-duty military personnel or veteran to celebrate while they visit for the day. The company also salutes all past heroes and those still serving today.