How to Honor our Veterans on Memorial Day Weekend

Angela and I took our two youngest kids to Nashville National Cemetery (I had to use a Google cache version, as the domain name has expired), where, along with dozens of other scouts and their parents and siblings, we placed an American flag in front of every head stone in the place - all 35,000 of them.

Opening ceremony with a prayer and a Pledge of Allegiance

Our Scout Master, Tim Thompson, addressed the boys before we set out to place the flags with this instruction: read the name of the person at whose head stone you are placing a flag. You might be the only person to visit them all year. With respect, say their name and think about their sacrifice.

Burt and his son Ben

Paul and his son Brandon

Luca, Angela, and Gabe in the foreground

Angela worked mainly with Gabe and I with Luca. We probably placed 50 or so flags. With all the other scouts, we finished in under an hour.

The head stones after the placement of the flags

Pack 210 of St. Edward School in Nashville

We had to hit the road before 6:45, and there was quite a bit of walking, but the boys did their duty. Our boys were rewarded with a nice breakfast at Cracker Barrel and later a matinee to see Night at the Museum 2. A fitting start to the Memorial Day weekend.