Scouts Plant Flags to Honor Veterans

While the rest of Brentwood Boy Scout Troop 117 is on a camping and white water rafting trip on the Kern River, Troop leader Rocky Rhodes and his two sons stayed behind to place flags Saturday on the graves at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

“I’m sure they’re having a lot of fun, but our job was to be here,” Rhodes said. “We’re here to remember the veterans and to help other people to remember too.”

Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts from across Southern California were at the cemetery early Saturday morning to plant 87,000 flags on the graves of fallen heroes, according to Richard Marcus, chairman of Memorial Day activities for the Western Los Angeles County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

“We also prepare the cemetery for Memorial Day weekend,” Marcus said. “A lot of people think Memorial Day is the start of barbecue season, but for the families of veterans, Memorial Day is a day to come here and remember and grieve for the loved ones they have lost.”

Memorial Day is an emotional time for the families of those who died in the line of duty as well as families of other veterans, Marcus said.

“When they walk in and see that someone has taken the time to plant a flag on every grave, that means a lot to them,” he said. “It’s just something we do for the people who fought to give us the freedoms that we enjoy.”

Boy Scout Cameron Rhodes, 13, and his brother, Cole Rhodes, 19, who is an Eagle Scout and helps his dad out as assistant scout master, have been coming to the cemetery to plant flags every Saturday before Memorial Day for several years.

Instead of quickly planting a flag and moving on to the next grave, the brothers take their time, reading the name of each soldier, planting the flag in the center exactly two inches from the headstone, then stepping back and saluting the grave.

“When I’m planting a flag, I’m thinking about the respect I have for the soldiers who died for our country,” Cameron said. “It’s to let people know that we honor the people who fought for our freedom.”

Cole Rhodes said that coming to the cemetery reminds him of our country’s history, since some of the graves are 400 years old.

“When I come here, I think about what these people went through and how important it is for me to honor them and recognize the sacrifice they made,” he said. “We should always remember those who fought for us.”