Have you ever wondered how all those American flags (more than 88,000) get placed for the Memorial Day observance at Los Angeles National Cemetery? For more than four decades, Boy Scouts from across the region have gathered the Saturday before Memorial Day for the largest Scout-sponsored flag placing ceremony in the Western U.S. (and one of the largest nationwide outside Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia). This year, more than 5,000 Scouts (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts), along with members of the general public, will begin their holiday weekend by doing something tangible to honor veterans.
The flag placing event will kick off with patriotic music performed by the 20-member L.A. Boy Scout Band. The Scouts and members of the public will then place flags on all 88,000-plus grave sites. The flags will remain in place until Tuesday, May 30th, when the Scouts will return to retrieve and store them for next year.
WHEN:
Saturday, May 26
7:00 a.m. – Arrival and Checkin
8:00 a.m. – Opening Ceramonies
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Flag placement
WHERE:
Los Angeles National Cemetery in West Los Angeles
950 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Press, veterans, and disabled persons may park at the cemetery.
Members of the public and volunteers should park across Sepulveda Blvd. (enter at Constitution Ave.) on the VA campus near UCLA's Jackie Robinson stadium.
