The grounds of Lafayette Cemetery are currently sprinkled with red, white and blue thanks to members of Cub Scout Pack 220. Scouts, along with their parents and pack leaders, spent a couple hours on the morning of May 21 placing flags on the graves of nearly 300 U.S. military service members buried there. The Lafayette Cemetery holds the remains of veterans who have served in military conflicts dating back to the Civil War.
Prior to placing the flags, the scouts performed the traditional Presentation of Colors, which included the Pledge of Allegiance, and the saying of the Scout Oath and Law. They also sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America The Beautiful." Accompanying the Scouts were veterans Scott Swantner and Bill Lew.
According to Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District Manager Patricia Howard, this was the first time in more than 30 years that a local group has offered to place flags for the cemetery staff. "It's just so wonderful to see these children take time out of their weekend to do this," Howard said. "Seeing our kids in their uniforms carrying American flags was like a piece of Americana," den leader Jim West said.
Pack 220 is comprised of students from Lafayette Elementary, Springhill Elementary and St. Perpetua's School. The Lafayette Cemetery has invited them to come back in November to place flags for Veterans Day.
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