A combined group of more than 20 members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 134 and Cub Pack 137, Fort Atkinson, aided by their leaders and family members, placed flags Tuesday on the graves of soldiers in two area cemeteries: Evergreen, on Fort Atkinson’s north side, and Lakeview, on the city’s south side.
According to information shared by pack spokesperson Amanda Kaiser, the scouts placed more than 1,800 flags over the course of two hours.
Flags will be removed by the scouts before June 15.
Kaiser said placing the flags serves to reinforce the scouts’ commitment to honor and reverence, which are concepts fortified within the scouts’ oath.
“Placing the flags is an interesting way to introduce the concepts of honor and responsibility,” Kaiser said, adding that the children are curious about the soldiers they honor and ask questions.
Kaiser said the activity, and the children’s curiosity, offers opportunities for scouts, parents and leaders to talk about history, including the history surrounding the wars in which Americans have fought, and the various roles soldiers take during wartime.
Tuesday’s flag placing activity began with a ceremony in Lakeview Cemetery, during which the scouts replaced the cemetery’s pole flag, due to its worn condition, Kaiser said.
As the scouts moved through the cemeteries Tuesday, they placed flags at each soldier’s grave, and they also looked for flags that may have been placed previously by family members. Those showing wear also were replaced, but then marked with red tape placed at the flag’s base, Kaiser stated. The tape indicates to the scouts that the flag is a replacement for one that was already there, and will, therefore, not be removed in June.
Flags placed by the scouts are provided by the American Legion, she noted.
Kaiser said the troop and pack will be among marchers in the Memorial Day parade on Monday.
Scouts participating this year in placing flags in the cemeteries included, from Troop 134: Drake P., Wes G., Emmett S., Noah M., and Logan M., and from Pack 137: Liam and Torren L., William K., Dexter M., Adler and Corbin S., Lillian, Maggie, Luke and Nate F., Mateo S., Graham P., Charlotte K., and Jacob, Owen and Noah T.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 134 is led by Chris Prime. Cub Pack 137 is led by Matt Koresh.
Cub scouts move along rows of gravesites in Fort Atkinson’s Evergreen Cemetery. The scouts on Tuesday placed flags provided by the American Legion on each military grave as part of Fort Atkinson’s Memorial Day observance. Flags will be removed by June 15, according to a pack spokesperson.
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