By Elizabeth Ruygt
On Memorial Day weekend Troop 380 participated in the Fair Oaks Cemetery Project. Helping out throughout the weekend were Dajion J., Chris N., Grayden S., Adam B., William R., Ian C., Darien J., Cameron V., Bryan H., Matt B. and Kenny B. and the following Scouters and adults; Joseph Jacobs, Louis Ruygt, Elizabeth Ruygt, Frank and Sally Shaw, Michelle Tyler, and Mary Moreno. The Scouts received many compliments from those attending the service and throughout the weekend.
Saturday morning, the troop directed cars and handed out programs with over 450 community members attending the morning Memorial Day service, which started with two bagpipers and a drummer entering the cemetery leading a horse drawn caisson in memory of Pfc. Charlie Williams, who was killed in Afghanistan, followed by a color guard of 20 veterans each carrying in an American flag. During the service, patriotic music was played by the American Veteran Band, the American flag was retired and replaced by a flag that was flown over the nation’s capital, and Congressman Tom McClintock spoke along with other dignitaries. The honored speaker for the event was Brigadier General Robert Hipwell. After enjoying some refreshments, the Scouts and adults took down the chairs and awnings. Later in the afternoon a group of Scouts and adults came back to take down the “Avenue of Flags” which lined the roads of the cemetery and contained over 300 full sized flags, each dedicated in memory of a deceased veteran. Early Monday morning, the troop returned to put up the “Avenue of Flags” and then took them down later in the afternoon. Dajion J. was the Scout in charge of the event and did a great job leading the other Scouts.
