As we continue to honor National Veterans and Military Families Month, we were honored to host a special U.S. Army family on their first visit to Walt Disney World Resort as Medal of Honor recipients gratitude actThe 4 millionth care package contains some magic—an all-expense paid vacation to the most magical place on Earth!
It’s about U.S. Army Sgt. Lamari Harris, a single mother of three, got the surprise of a lifetime when her Army leadership in the deserts of Southwest Asia offered her this special care package.
The Operation Gratitude care package included a Mickey Mouse stuffed toy, along with news that her service had been recognized and she would be able to take a trip to Walt Disney World when she returned home.
Harris has been deployed in the area for several months, with 82ND The Airborne said she was shocked when she learned her fellow soldiers nominated her for the family trip to Walt Disney World.
Harris relied on her mother, veteran Jacqueline Rice, and extended family to care for her children during the six-month deployment, highlighting the sacrifices some military families make to support their service to their country.
Operation Gratitude is a non-profit organization dedicated to lifting the spirits of the military and first responder community. Since March 2003, Operation Gratitude has provided more than 4 million care packages to deployed military personnel, bridging the gap between civilians and service members.
Disney is proud to offer this trip to help Operation Gratitude commemorate its milestone 4 millionth nursing program and make it even more magical as part of the company’s enduring admiration for America’s military service.
“At Operation Gratitude, we are so honored to reach this incredible milestone by sending 4 million care packages to our nation’s heroes. This special package for Sgt. Harris is made possible by Disney’s generosity, It represents the heartfelt gratitude Americans have for our service members and their families,” said Meg Barron, executive director of Operation Gratitude. “We hope this magical experience creates unforgettable memories for Sgt. Harris and her children, and we thank The Walt Disney Company for joining us in expressing our gratitude to those who serve.”
A trip to remember
After returning home to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, on June 23, 2024, Sgt. Harris was excited to share the news about the Walt Disney World vacation with her daughter Kairi, 10, and her 3-year-old twin sons Santana and Tail, making their family reunion extra special.
The Disney Vacation of a Lifetime
Sgt. Harris and her family had a great time at Walt Disney World 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 holiday 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 entire experience was magical. Having the opportunity to build these family memories after serving overseas will be something we will never forget Things that will be forgotten.”
During their visit, we were honored to thank Sgt. Harris’ selfless service to our country was honored during a special flag retirement ceremony at Magic Kingdom Park, where she was presented with a cassette flag that flew over Magic Kingdom in her honor.
“At Disney, we have a more than 100-year tradition of supporting military members and their families,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experience. “Our goal has always been to create happiness and provide a way for families to connect and have fun together, and it’s a special honor to create magic for the heroes who serve our country.”
