Local Scouts place flags on tombstones at Golden Gate National Cemetery.

For over 70 years, Scouts around the country have been helping to honor our country’s fallen. It all began in 1949 when Scouts in the Greater St. Louis Council decorated the 190,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with miniature U.S. flags. Since then, it has become one of the largest service projects in the country.

First opened in 1941, the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno is one of 131 National cemeteries in 39 states. It is the final resting place of 15 Medal of Honor recipients, Congressman Leo Ryan, and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II.

Each year, Scouts, Scouters, veterans and other community groups from all over the Bay Area gather in tribute to these gallant men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

On Saturday Menlo Park Scouts (Pack 222 and Troop 109) gathered as they do every Saturday before Memorial Day to pay tribute to fallen soldiers by placing flags on the tombstones at the National Cemetery. This year a Vietnam Vet — the grandfather of a Scout in 109 — helped with the flag planting