By Elizabeth Ruygt
On Memorial Day weekend, Troop 380 participated in the Fair Oaks Cemetery Project. Helping out throughout the weekend were 13 Scouts (Christian A, William R, Charlie P, George P, Nick I, Evan F, Alexander M, Ian C, Liam M, Daniel R, Dakota F, Matt B and Kenny B) and eight Scouters and adults (Jahna Alvarado, Louis Ruygt, Elizabeth Ruygt, Neil Ishikawa, John McPike, Erik Carlson, David Vipond and Stella Rebello) where they either earned credits for their Scout accounts or service hours.
On Saturday morning the troop directed cars and handed out programs. William and Nick also helped a lady parallel park her car into a tight spot and then helped her out of the car while her family cheered them on for a job well done! During the ceremony, which started with a lone bagpiper playing across the cemetery, there was a 21 gun salute, and patriotic songs were sung by a local community choir. The American flag was retired and replaced by a flag that has flown over the nation’s capitol, and Rep. Dan Lungren spoke, along with other dignitaries. Afterwards, the Scouts got to talk to a local motorcycle group made up of veteran’s and have their picture taken with them. After the crowds left, the troop 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 line the roads of the cemetery and contain over 300 flags dedicated to the memory of deceased veterans. Early Monday morning, the troop returned to put up the “Avenue of Flags” and then took them down later in the afternoon. Christian A was the Scout in charge of the event and he did a great job leading the other Scouts.
