‘White is for courage'

N-E/ Forrest Berkshire Chris Zaborowski reads the inscription on a tombstone in a veterans' cemetery on Fort Knox Thursday before planting a flag during a Memorial Day ceremony organized by local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.

Scouts beautify cemeteries for Memorial Day

By ERICA WALSH

Michael McIntosh and Tony Davis, both 10, had important duty Thursday, and they took their jobs seriously.

The two members of Cub Scout Pack 127 walked among gravestones at St. Patrick's cemetery at Fort Knox placing American flags at the final resting places of hundreds of veterans.

"It's to pay respect to fallen soldiers," Tony said.

Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts from Fort Knox joined to place flags on the graves of soldiers buried on post. The event takes place annually on the Thursday before Memorial Day so the flags will be in place for the holiday.

Eleven-year-olds Catherine Mulonet and Chelsea Taylor, members of Girl Scout Troop 1746, said they thought the project was a great idea to show respect for soldiers and to make the cemetery look nice for guests who visit on Memorial Day.

"You're honoring different people that served your country," Chelsea said.

"And we're doing it for the visitors that are coming in," Catherine added.

The graves at the cemetery date back generations and include veterans who served in several conflicts.

"Most are from World War II," Michael said.

Six Girl Scout troops, three Cub Scout packs, and three Boy Scout troops, all from Fort Knox, were on hand to lay the flags. They were joined by a Boy Scout troop from Radcliff.

After instruction on proper placements, Scouts scattered among the gravestones to begin their work.

The event is a learning opportunity in addition to being part of the Scouts' service to the community, Scoutmaster John Signorino said. Signorino has planned the event for the past four years.

"We teach them about the flag," he said. "It also teaches them respect."

Adriel Madden, 7, and Cierra Scarpill, 8, members of Girl Scout Troop 1312, said they learned a lot about the flags that they placed on the graves, including how many stars and stripes there are and what they stand for.

"White is for courage," Adriel said.

The girls also said it was good to do something for other soldiers because their dads are in the military.

Maj. Willis Madden, chairman of the Fort Knox Scouting Community, said the day had extra meaning for the Scouts, all of whom have a personal connection to the military.

"It's part of their citizenship and their heritage," he said.

Erica Walsh can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 238, or e-mail her at ewalsh@thenewsenterprise.com.