Scouts Recognize Memorial Day by Planting Flags
Each Memorial Day, in communities around the nation, there’s a familiar scene at many cemeteries. Scouts are out planting flags at the graves of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, recognizing their bravery and sacrifice in service to our nation.
It’s an opportunity for Scouts and others to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day, and it’s a chance to show respect to the many men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, both past and present, who put the safety of the country ahead of their own safety.
Here are just a few of the places Scouts are planting flags for Memorial day –
A Scout participating in Memorial Day activities (photo: Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now)
In Clarksville, Tennessee, Scouts are planting flags at the graves of veterans. Scouts and their families will place nearly 35,000 flags at various locations as part of their Memorial Day activities. – Clarksville Now
In Boulder, Colorado, Scouts have placed flags on more than 480 graves of veterans from all branches of service. – Daily Camera
“The purpose of Memorial Day is not to have picnics, miss a day from school and watch a parade,” noted Troop 82 Scoutmaster Bryan LeClerc. “It is to honor those men and women who gave their lives for our country while serving in the military. We owe these heroes our respect and honor. Thanks to them, we live in freedom today.” – Fairfield Sun
A Scout planting flags at veterans’ graves (photo: Lauri Shultis, Grand Island Independent)
“In scouts we teach that the flag isn’t just a cloth with red, white and blue,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Ray Fye. “It represents something, and the scouts can see how every veteran realized that meaning, and sometimes they gave their life for that meaning.” – Grand Island Independent
Scouts in Montoursville, Pennsylvania carefully placed more than 2,000 flags at the graves of veterans in a local cemetery. – PAhomepage
Scouts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, took place in a ceremony that included placing flags on the graves of veterans. They also heard from local dignitaries who reminded them of the sacrifice of those who died while serving in the Armed Forces. – Fox 17
Scouts in Brewer, Maine, were out for their annual tradition of placing flags at the graves of veterans for Memorial Day. They’ve been doing this for more than a decade.
“You get to plant flags and be here with your friends and respect veterans,” said Matthew, a Boy Scout. – WABI TV5
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