Posted on 05/27/2007 6:35:45 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — In what has proven to be an ongoing partnership between local Boy Scout Troop 445 and the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the helpful youths were at it again.
In the spirit of Memorial Day, troop members and volunteers planted more than 150 American flags near the grave sites to honor veterans.
The Saturday morning event was commemorated with a patriotic reading at the cemetery’s assembly area.
“It shows their respect and honor for fallen comrades and symbolizes our thanks from a grateful nation,” said Joe Larson, cemetery administrator for the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.
“It really looks good. I think this should be done more,” said Life Scout Andrew Cook, who recently created his own cemetery beautification project. In early April, as part of a service project to become an Eagle Scout, Cook raised more than $9,000 toward the purchase of 36 trees for the cemetery.
“Andrew got the ball rolling,” said volunteer and scout parent Jim Ward, who’s son also launched a beautification project.
Adjacent to the assembly area, the landscape project called for new flower beds for desert plants, decorative rocks, and red, white and blue floral arrangements.
“It is amazing how much it has improved,” Ward said.
The beautification projects help showcase the cemetery’s two functions.
“It’s a memorial, but it’s also a park. A beautiful place for people to come and walk through. We want to landscape it as much as possible,” Larson said.
The weekend effort brought out many of the troop’s youngest members, who gladly joined in.
“It’s fun because we are helping people. It’s fun to be with friends,” said Tanner Segraves, an 8-year-old Cub Scout who clung to his friend Tim Enright, 7.
“It’s really, really, really, fun!” Enright said.
Serving as role models for the young boys were some of the troop’s accomplished Eagle Scouts.
“It’s good to give more credit to the veterans. We are just here planting the flags,” said Charles Mackin, who just graduated from Buena High School and will go on to pursue electrical engineering at the University of Arizona this fall.
Organizers chose Saturday because they wanted to plant the flags in time for the holiday.
“It’s a good way to start the weekend,” Ward said. “Families will come up for the ceremony, and see that all the grave markers are dressed up. They have served their country. We are just taking care of something we feel we should do for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Troop 445 senior patrol leader Sven Gregory found it to be a great way to spend his Saturday.
“I am happy so many people came out,” he said. “It’s very nice to do a bit to make the cemetery look better. The veterans deserve it for helping our country.”
HERALD/REVIEW reporter Fiona de Young can be reached at 515-4682 or by e-mail at fiona.deyoung@svherald.com.
The boy in the orange shirt and orange&blue cap is a Tiger Cub (leopard).
The boy with the yellow scarf and the yellow&blue cap is a Wolf Cub.
The whole verse just seems to fit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.