Honoring Our Veterans

In 2012, there were 21.2 million living veterans on record. Every year, we honor their service and the memory of those who have passed on or died in battle. Citizenship is among the important values we teach our Scouts, and remembering those who have served our country in military service is one of the responsibilities of being a good citizen.

I am proud to watch every year as our Scouts march in Veterans Day parades and mark military cemeteries with graveside American flags. It’s important for all citizens, not just Scouts, to honor America’s military every chance we get.

Photo by Nate Pesce // Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun

Photo by Lance Cpl. Paul E. Wyatt // Courtesy of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

We are also proud to be sponsored by terrific partner veterans’ organizations. Their commitment to volunteer service in their communities and love for their country are many of the strong bonds that we share. As an example, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has just over 31,000 Scouts in more than 1,000 units across the country. And currently, the American Legion has 2,553 Legion-sponsored Scout units, so we are well represented by our chartered veterans’ groups.

It’s also inspiring to hear reports of our Scouts reaching out into communities to assist disabled veterans and honor the American flag. In Ottawa, Illinois, Scout Kris Felty noticed last Veterans’ Day that several elderly veterans had trouble climbing the steps to stand at the town’s War Memorial for the day’s ceremonies. For his Eagle Project, Kris coordinated the construction of a cement ramp to escort veterans to the war memorial platform by wheel chair.

And in Weston, Connecticut, Eagle Scout candidate Alex Gulino is collecting worn American flags to be disposed of in a dignified way. With the flags he collects from people in his community on Veterans’ Day, Alex will hold a flag retirement ceremony for anyone in the community to attend.

I know there are many more stories out there about how young people honor our military and the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom. What Veterans’ Day stories in your communities have struck a patriotic chord with you? And how do you encourage people in your organizations to remember our veterans – whether it’s once a year or more often?

Thanks!

Wayne