Disney Reflects on Service and Sacrifice this Veterans Day

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As we celebrate Veterans Day today, we salute all those who have bravely served in the U.S. military. Our admiration of those who serve in uniform and their families has been enduring since the founding of our company more than 100 years ago including our founders Walt and Roy O. Disney who served their country during the First World War.  

We have been fortunate to welcome thousands of veterans to The Walt Disney Company since launching the Heroes Work Here program in 2012. Today, we are honored to showcase a few of the military heroes who now help make magic across our Disney Experiences businesses.

Veteran Cast Members Honored:

Senior Airman Monique Morales, U.S. Airforce

Machinist at Disneyland Resort

Hometown: Chino Hills, California

Monique served six years in the U.S. Air Force as a fuel maintenance journeyman, working on F-16 Fighting Falcon jet aircrafts. Toward the end of her service, Monique had the opportunity to join the Disneyland Resort team through the DOD SkillBridge program which allows U.S. servicemembers to gain valuable civilian work experience as they are transitioning from their military service. The program allowed Monique to build meaningful connections at Disneyland Resort, eventually leading to her current role in Facilities, where she helps maintain the attractions in Fantasyland.  

Sergeant First Class Mack Wright, U.S. Army

Custodial Utility at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Hometown: Early Branch, South Carolina

From an early age, Mack Wright knew he wanted to be in the U.S. Army where he served for 22 years before retiring. He has now worked at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina for ten years working in utilities. Mack maintains a high standard in taking care of the resort from the pools to the rooms, ensuring guests have a safe and magical stay at the resort.

Senior Chief Dennis Depre, U.S. Navy

Sr. Recruiter at Disney Cruise Line

Hometown: Mantua, New Jersey

Dennis joined the U.S. Navy straight out of high school and during his time in service, he served as an Operational Specialist on two different Naval vessels working in the Combat Information Center before transitioning to a recruiting role. Dennis retired from active-duty service in 2022, but prior to retiring Dennis joined the Disney Cruise Line recruitment team on a fellowship through the DOD SkillBridge program. Currently, Dennis supports shipboard and shoreside recruitment needs for Disney Cruise Line, making dreams come true. 

Technical Sergeant Kalob Hinners, U.S. Air Force T

Manager Facilities & Operations at Walt Disney Imagineering

Hometown: Elk Horn, Iowa

Kalob Hinners enlisted in the Air Force in June 2002. During his 16 years of service, Tech. Sgt. Hinners would go on to receive a Purple Heart medal, for serving his nation bravely. Kalob now works with Walt Disney Imagineering and when asked what his favorite part about the role was, he responded, “being part of such a unique part of our company’s history, culture, and future.” He continued, “I’ve always admired how we consistently push boundaries and limits to provide a great experience for our guests.”

Sergeant Jon Schellhammer, U.S. Marine Corps

Product Development Manager at Disney Experiences

Hometown: Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Jon served in the U.S. Marine Corps with two deployments overseas including serving with 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) supporting operations in Northern Iraq in 2003. In 2004, he returned to Iraq and was involved in operations in Fallujah. As a Disney cast member, Jon now works as a Product Development Manager at Disney Central. Disney Central is a contact center that helps plan vacations to Walt Disney World Resort.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Mulvey, U.S. Coast Guard

Security Manager at Walt Disney World Resort

Hometown: Orlando, Florida

Lauren was a machinery technician for the U.S. Coast Guard, serving 6 years, both on active duty and in the reserves. Most of her missions centered around maritime safety, security, and environmental protections.

She has been making magic with Disney for nearly 19 years and currently serves as the Emergency Manager for Walt Disney World Resort.

Specialist Derrick Lehua, U.S. Army

IT Tech Support at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Hometown: Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Derrick joined the U.S. Army out of high school, having never traveled outside of his home state of Hawai’i. He said the Army changed his life for the better, teaching him discipline, accountability, and the value of teamwork. Derrick brought the work ethic he learned from the Army to his current role at Aulani Resort in IT Tech Support. He is a highly-respected Aulani cast member who was Aulani Resort’s 2022 Cast Member of the Year.

Master Sergeant Rosa Bates, U.S. Air Force

Construction Planner at Walt Disney World Resort

Hometown: Ukiah, California

Rosa served 23 years before retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sgt. working as a military police officer. Rosa now works with the EPCOT team as a construction planner. “I am very proud to be a part of a company that honors veterans and military families both inside and out. I enjoy having the opportunity to contribute to providing magic to those families.”

Corporal Christopher J Williams, U.S. Marine Corps

Associate Product Development Manager for Marvel Games at Disney Consumer Products

Hometown: Oakland, CA

Christopher served in the U.S. Marine Corps with one overseas deployment, including service with the 7th Communications Battalion, based in Okinawa, Japan, also known as “The Tip of the Spear.” Christopher achieved most ranks meritoriously, starting with private first class directly out of boot camp. He was recognized multiple times as Marine of the Quarter, setting the bar and leading by example as one of the youngest noncommissioned officers in his platoon.

As a Disney cast member, Chris now works as an associate product development manager for Marvel Games at Disney Consumer Products, assisting game partners in delivering the best Marvel Games experience. He focuses on great content, storytelling, and striking visuals to bring Marvel characters to life.

USO Care Kit Assembly at Disneyland Resort

As we continue to recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month, we were honored to continue helping our friends at the USO create care kits for deployed service members among the many ways we salute those who serve in uniform. 

During a Disney VoluntEARS event at Disneyland Resort, cast members including several from the SALUTE veterans employee resource group packed an impressive 2,000 USO care kits to send to deployed service members around the globe. To date, Disney has assembled more than 21,000 care kits this year. In addition, Disney VoluntEARS and SALUTE members in Glendale will assemble 500 care packages filled with Disney home goods and other essentials for Blue Star Families to help welcome military families that transition into new communities. Many of the care packages will be sent to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida to help families impacted by the recent hurricanes.

Thank you to all who ever wore the uniform and for those who continue to stand watch around the world. Thank you for your service this Veterans Day and every day.

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