Cub Scouts from O’Fallon Pay Tribute to Veterans

When Sandy Bowles saw the note in the paper concerning the event at Jefferson Barracks she knew this would be a great event for cub scouts to be part of. She immediately spread the news through the pack and in no time at all, she had more than 20 cub scouts and parents signed up and ready to join her on the adventure.

While the event is sponsored by Boy Scouts from The Gravois Trail District, Scouts from around the area are invited to participate. As the years have passed, an increasing number of girl scout troops have also joined in to help the boy scouts place the flags on each of the 180,000 gravesites in the cemetery.  

The decision to attend was easy for O'Fallon's 353 Cub Master Robert Day. As a very busy businessman, Robert relishes the ability to spend time with his son, and he thanks scouting for the opportunity. As an Army Veteran he jumped at the chance to honor and pay tribute to his fellow soldiers in a setting surrounded by scouts that are being taught to respect and revere the men and women who paid the ultimate price for the freedom they enjoy.

For the parents of pack 353, this was an opportunity to pay their respects to veterans, and also allowed them to demonstrate to their children the true meaning of duty, honor, country and reverence.

Taking the boy scout motto: "Be Prepared," to heart the parents packed snacks and sunscreen. One of the parents, David Doering, brought his bicycle with a trailer containing a cooler full of cold water attached.  Other siblings joined in the fun such as David’s youngest daughter, Violet and Girl Scout Sophie Krahl, the sister of cub scouts Logan and Dylan.

As the scouts paraded from the gathering area around the barracks, they were serenaded by bagpipers as they reached the great circle surrounding the tallest flagpole in the cemetery. An invocation was then given by 15 -year-old Eagle Scout Adam Kaul of Troop 824 from Mehlville. This was followed by a speech form a decorated retired Army officer, Dr. Glover, who pointed out that while there are medal of honor holders and other dignitaries buried here, the majority of this cemetery is filled with average American men and women that represent the very best our country has to offer.

When the ceremony ended, the hike began as thousands of Scouts and their families fanned out across the cemetery, heading for the big green boxes containing the flags they would be planting in front of each and every headstone.  For pack 353, the hike was one of the longest as they headed west to the farthest reaches of the cemetery to reach their assigned area.

When it was all said and done, the boys were hot, tired and sweaty but to their credit, they did not complain. 

“This year was special because it was our first time – the real test for you boys is next year when you come back down here knowing that you will be hot, tired and sweaty,  yet still wanting to come," Cub Master Robert Day said at the end of the trip.