Boy Scouts, their parents and volunteers honored Veterans Day by placing flags at Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito and Kensington on a rainy Friday morning.
Patrica Hunt and her two children from Cub Scout Pack 104 of El Cerrito came to remember those who served the country. “We plant flags to honor those who kept our country safe,” said Hunt.
At least seven Boy Scout and Cub Scout units from El Cerrito, Albany and Berkeley took part in the event.
This was the second time Army Staff Sgt. Pedro Acosta of El Cerrito commemorated Veterans Day by placing flags on the graves of veterans. Acosta placed flags once before with his unit in Texas, and this is first time he honored veterans in his hometown.
Acosta found the weather appropriate. “Rain washes away the tears,” he said.
A Berkeley troop leader, Dave Shaw, said scouting is about learning to become good leaders and citizens. “The Boy Scouts reacted pretty positive," he said. "The Scouts came out to learn respect for veterans and their sacrifices.”
Learning was an important part of the experience for Albany Scouts as well. Albany Cub Master Ben Hines said that last year the troop noticed a lack of understanding about Veterans Day among the pack. The Albany Troop, which is chartered by the American Legion, invited veterans to share why we honor those who served in the military.
“This was a way to give youngsters a deeper understanding of veterans and to make it relevant to them,” said Hines. “The people that came before us fought for our freedom.”
The Albany troop, as a part of a service project. also put together more than 400 care packages to send to those serving overseas. They wrote thank-you letters, made friendship bracelets and even donated some of their Halloween candy.
