Harrisburg Scouts place flags on vets' graves

HARRISBURG - Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Harrisburg gathered Wednesday evening to honor the veterans buried in the city's sprawling Sunset Lawn Cemetery by placing American flags at the grave of each veteran.

Harrisburg Scout Council member and former troop leader Justin Fulkerson demonstrated to Scouts and accompanying parents how to determine whether a grave marker is that of a veteran.

"Usually there will be a cross at the top of the marker, and if you read it, it will tell what branch of service they served in or what war or wars they fought in," Fulkerson explained.

Scouts were instructed to then install a flag next to the grave marker by pushing the flag's staff into the earth near the marker.

Fulkerson also explained to the Scouts that the flags were being placed as an extra remembrance for the Memorial Day holiday of those who served, and sometimes gave his or her life while serving.

About a dozen Scouts in addition to adult volunteers then spread out across the cemetery placing flags near veterans' grave markers.

On Monday, Memorial Day, city of Harrisburg representatives and members of veterans groups and family will gather at 10 a.m. at the city's Veterans Memorial at the cemetery at a ceremony honoring the lives of veterans past and present.