ANAHEIM : Ex-POW Is Honored at Disneyland

Chief Warrant Officer Guy Hunter, a prisoner of war for 47 days during the Persian Gulf War, was honored Wednesday with a parade down the cobblestone streets of Disneyland.

Hunter, 29, was shot down in the fighter plane in which he was an aerial observer shortly after the war began in January. During his incarceration, he was forced to make a videotape denouncing the war.

The Camp Pendleton Marine, cheered as he rode on the float with his wife and three children, gave a short speech after the 30-minute parade.

Hunter said he has been constantly surprised by the warm reception he has received from the public.

“It’s such a shock to the system,” Hunter said. “You are in one place where you are afraid for your life and come back to people cheering and greeting you with applause.”

The parade was the first of about 20 that Disneyland will hold before June 16 to honor the men and women of Operation Desert Storm.

Disney spokesman John McClintock said that during fall, the park will continue to honor American heroes from all walks of life.

“We want to honor all local heroes in the community and anyone who deserves it,” McClintock said.

“I hadn’t been to the park since 1975,” Hunter said. “So me and the family have a lot of rides to catch up on.”