A 100-year-old World War II veteran who witnessed the Iwo Jima flag raising said he thought the war was “going to end” as cheers erupted on the battlefield, a moment honored for decades. later at Disneyland during a moving ceremony.
Charles Cram, a Navy medic attached to the 5th Marine Division, was recognized Tuesday at Disneyland’s daily flag retirement ceremony on Main Street, USA, where guests gathered and applauded as he was presented with a flag flying above the park.
“I didn’t know what I was witnessing at that moment,” Cram told FOX Business. “But I was in the middle of the story.”
Cram said he could see the American flag rising “500 to 700 feet” above Mount Suribachi, a moment that would become one of the world’s most recognizable images. American history.
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World War II veteran Charles Cram, 100, poses in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., during a visit honoring his service. (Courtesy of Disney Experiences / Unknown)
The ceremony took place in front of a crowd of park visitors, with Cram’s family – including loved ones from across the country – standing nearby as he was honored for his service.
“When we told Dad he was coming to Disneyland, he thought he was just going to ride the rides,” a family member said. “He had no idea what was really going on.”
Cram, who turned 100 on March 15, was also treated as a special guest at the park, attending a VIP parade and meeting Donald Duck, a character who helped boost the morale of American troops during World War II.
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World War II veteran Charles Cram, 100, receives a folded American flag during Disneyland’s flag retirement ceremony in Anaheim, Calif., as his family and park guests look on. (Courtesy of Disney Experiences / Unknown)
During the ceremony, he received a framed gift American flag.
“It’s a flag that flew at Disneyland Park,” a presenter said during the tribute. “Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
The ceremony is part of a long-standing tradition at Disneyland in which daily flag ceremonies have been held since the park opened in 1955 to honor U.S. service members and veterans.
A native of Los Angeles, Cram served as a pharmacist second class in the United States Navy and was attached to the 5th Marine Division during the Second World War. He was among those who fought at Iwo Jima, one of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific campaign.
World War II veteran Charles Cram, 100, is recognized during Disneyland’s flag retirement ceremony on Main Street, USA, in Anaheim, California, as attendees applaud. (Courtesy of Disney Experiences / Unknown)
Reflecting on that day, Cram said the experience shaped the way he looked at life.
“It made me realize how precious and fragile life is,” he told FOX Business. “And happy to still be alive.”
He said being honored at the age of 100 is a reminder of how lucky he was.
When asked what message he would share with young Americans, Cram highlighted service as a source of lasting pride.
“It’s a privilege to be able to serve your country,” he said. “This is an honor you will never forget.”