Memorial Day Good Turn

Sunday, May 24, 2020

CANCELED

COVID 19 Update:

Thank you for your patience as National Cemetery Association was developing official Memorial Day guidance. Here is an update from the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Director. “Unfortunately, per their guidelines, hosting gatherings of these sizes is not advisable due to concerns about COVID-19, therefore JBNC will not be holding a Memorial Day Ceremony this year. As such, gravesites flags will not be placed on gravesites by the Scouts of America this year. However, families may place small American flags at their Veteran’s gravesite if wish to do so. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and I deeply appreciate the commitment and dedication of the Scouts and look forward to placing gravesites flags in 2021.”

2020 Jefferson Barracks Memorial Day Good Turn – CANCELED

Scouts of all ages are invited to participate in the Memorial Day Good Turn. Check-in for the Jefferson Barracks Good Turn, hosted by the Gravois Trail District, runs from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. at their designated area by the cemetery. The procession to the Flag Ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Upon check-in, the unit will receive a unit participation ribbon. A Memorial Day Good Turn patch will be available for $4: segment patch is $1.

Here’s some important information to know before you go:

• Plan for a hike.  You will be walking 2-3 miles on the day of the event.
• The person who registers the unit should be your main contact person for the event.
• Please do not bring Unit or American Flags.
• No Parking will be allowed on the Cemetery Grounds. Plan on Parking in Sylvan Springs County Park on Sheridan Rd.
• Scouts and Scouters should be in uniform.
• Check the forecast before you head out. Bring rain gear, if necessary. The   event is held rain or shine.
• Make sure you bring plenty of water for you and your Scouts. It’s also a good idea to bring hats and sunscreen.
• Damaged Flags should not be placed on a site.  Instead please return damaged flags to a flag box.
• Remember the Scout Law and the purpose of the day. We are guests at Beasley Elementary and Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.

Jewish Relationships Committee Good Turn
Members of all religions and ages are invited to help place over 7,000 flags on the graves of our war veterans at St. Louis area Jewish cemeteries. The event is sponsored by the Jewish War Veterans and the Jewish Relations Committee of the Greater St. Louis Area Council. Free breakfast provided for participants. Youth will perform a brief ceremony at each grave site for a more meaningful experience.

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About Memorial Day Good Turn

2018 Memorial Day Good Turn Photo Gallery

For more than six decades, approximately 5,000 Scouts have gathered at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery prior to Memorial Day to decorate each of the 150,000 graves with an American Flag. The tradition, in its 69^th year in 2018, is one of the longest running Memorial Day events within the Boy Scouts of America.

The public is welcome to attend the event. Scouts from across the council assemble at the National Guard base and march into the cemetery where they proceed to the main flagpole near the center of the cemetery for an assembly and ceremony. A surprise guest speaker addresses the crowd.

Scouts honor those who served our country by raising the American Flag and then lowering it to half-mast as Scout buglers play “Taps.” Scouts who earned the rank of Eagle Scout- the highest rank in Scouting- during the past year serve as the color guard. Scouts and leaders then decorate each grave in the cemetery with a small American Flag.

It takes just two hours for Scouts to place more than 150,000 flags, which are provided by the cemetery.

In 1866, Jefferson Barracks was established as a national cemetery and today is one of the oldest interment sites of the National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.