Community Corner
Scouts Learn About Sacrifices Made by Veterans
Pacific Palisades Cub Scout Pack 223 joins others in planting flags at Los Angeles National Cemetery on Saturday in preparation for a Memorial Day program.
Wearing his navy blue Cub Scout uniform with a bright yellow neckerchief, 8-year-old Ethan Sartory carefully places an American flag in front of a grave at the Los Angeles National Cemetery, steps back and gives a solemn salute.
“I’m thinking about the army guys and how they were great and served their country,” Ethan said. “It’s important because we should honor them because they fought in the wars.”
Ethan is a member of Pacific Palisades Cub Scout Den 1, Pack 223. About 140 scouts from his pack were at the cemetery early Saturday morning to get it ready for a Memorial Day program.
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“The scouts learn that Memorial Day is not just a day off from school or a three-day weekend, it’s about the veterans and their service to this country,” said Ethan’s dad, David Sartory, leader of Den 1.
Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts from across Southern California came to the cemetery to plant 87,000 flags on the graves of veterans, according to Richard Marcus, chairman of Memorial Day activities for the Western Los Angeles County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
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“A lot of people think Memorial Day is the start of barbecue season, but for the families of veterans, Memorial Day is a day to come here and remember and grieve for the loved ones they have lost,” Marcus said.
Memorial Day is an emotional time for the families of those who died in the line of duty as well as families of other veterans, Marcus said.
“When they walk in and see that someone has taken the time to plant a flag on every grave, that means a lot to them,” he said. “It’s just something we do for the people who fought to give us the freedoms that we enjoy.”
Johnny Martin, 8, is a member of Pack 223’s Cub Scout Den 6. He said he wanted to come to the cemetery to show respect for the people who fought for our country.
“They could have just been sitting on a couch, but they decided to fight for our freedom,” Johnny said. “I think it was really nice of them to fight for us even though they knew that they could die.”
Cub Scouts get to have a lot of fun doing activities such as camping and fishing, but it’s important to also participate in patriotic events, said John Yeh, Cub Scout Master for Pack 223.
“At this event, the boys learn all about sacrifice and all that veterans have done to provide us with the liberties that we enjoy,” Yeh said. “It’s important for them to learn about that.”
