U.S. Army Mom and Her Children Celebrate a Surprise Trip to Walt Disney World from Operation Gratitude

[Disney4me]

As we continue to recognize National Veterans and Military Families Month, we were honored to host a special U.S. Army family who visited Walt Disney World Resort for the first time as the recipient of Operation Gratitude’s 4 millionth care package that contained some magic inside— an all-expense paid vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth!

To say that U.S. Army Sgt. Lamari Harris, a single mother of 3 children, received the surprise of a lifetime when she was presented with this special care package by her Army leadership in the deserts of Southwest Asia would be an understatement.

The Operation Gratitude care package contained a Mickey Mouse plush and the news that her service was being recognized with a trip to Walt Disney World once she returned home.

Operation Gratitude’s 4 millionth care package included a Mickey Mouse plush and a card announcing an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World for a deployed U.S. service member.

Harris had been deployed for months in the region with the 82^nd Airborne Division and reported her shock when she learned her fellow soldiers had nominated her to receive this family trip to Walt Disney World.

During her 6-month deployment, Harris relied on her mother and Army veteran Jacquline Rice and extended family to watch her children, highlighting the sacrifices some military families make in support of their service to country.

U.S. Army Sgt. Lamari Harris moved to tears after opening the 4 millionth Operation Gratitude care package to Southwest Asia on June 8, 2024, after serving months in the region while deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division. (Photo Credit: SSG Catessa Palone & SGT Vincent Levelev – 82nd CAB Public Affairs)

Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit organization dedicated to lifting the spirits of Military and First Responder communities. Since March 2003, Operation Gratitude has delivered more than four million care packages to deployed service members, bridging the gap between civilians and those who serve.

Disney was honored to provide the trip to help Operation Gratitude mark their milestone 4 millionth care package and make it extra magical as part of the company’s enduring admiration for U.S. military service.

Sgt. Lamari Harris, with members of her unit, posing with the Mickey Mouse plush that came in the care package. (Photo Credit: SSG Catessa Palone & SGT Vincent Levelev – 82nd CAB Public Affairs)

“At Operation Gratitude, we are deeply honored to reach this incredible milestone of four million Care Packages sent to our nation’s heroes. This special package for Sgt. Harris, made possible by Disney’s generosity, represents the heartfelt gratitude Americans feel for service members and their families,” said Meg Barron, Executive Director of Operation Gratitude. “We hope this magical experience has created unforgettable memories for Sgt. Harris and her children, and we thank The Walt Disney Company for joining us in showing appreciation to those who serve.”

A Homecoming to Remember

Upon returning home to Fort Liberty, North Carolina on June 23, 2024, Sgt. Harris was thrilled to share the news about the Walt Disney World vacation with daughter, Kyrie (10), and her 3-year-old twin sons, Santana and Tyre making their family reunion extra special.

Sgt. Harris and her three children celebrating her homecoming at Ft. Liberty, North Carolina June 23, 2024, following her 6-month deployment to Southwest Asia. (Photo Credit: Operation Gratitude)

The Disney Vacation of a Lifetime

Sgt. Harris and her family enjoyed their Walt Disney World stay this month during National Veterans and Military Families Month and made up for lost family time during their well-deserved vacation.

“My family is so grateful to Operation Gratitude and Disney for this vacation of a lifetime,” said Sgt. Harris. “From the moment I opened the box in Southwest Asia to seeing the castle for the first time months later, the whole experience was magical. This opportunity to build these family memories following my service overseas will be something we never forget.”

Sgt. Harris and her children meeting Mickey Mouse at The Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort on November 12, 2024 (Photo Credit: Disney Parks)

During their visit, we were honored to thank Sgt. Harris for her selfless service to our country during a special Flag Retreat ceremony in Magic Kingdom Park where she was also presented with a shadowboxed flag that had been flown over Magic Kingdom in her honor.

Sgt. Harris was honored during the daily Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort on November 12, 2024 (Photo Credit: Disney Parks)

“At Disney, we have a legacy of supporting service members and their families for more than 100 years,” said Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro. “Our purpose has always been to create happiness and give families a way to connect and have fun together, and it’s a special honor to make magic for the heroes who serve our nation.”

The post U.S. Army Mom and Her Children Celebrate a Surprise Trip to Walt Disney World from Operation Gratitude appeared first on Disney Parks Blog.

View the full article