HONESDALE — Every year, Boy Scouts are tasked with fulfilling a requirement that focuses on community service and duty to God and country. 

“While our participation here today fulfills that Scout requirement,” Cub Scout leader Tracy Weber told those gathered at Veterans Day services in Honsdale, “it is my hope that each Scout is gaining so much more from these valuable community experiences.” 

Earlier in the week, she said, several local veterans met with the the second-grade Wolf Den Scouts and taught them the history of the flag, as well as how to respect, care for and fold the flag. 

Weber represented Honesdale Cub Scout Troop 105 as the guest speaker at the 2023 Joint Veterans Day Ceremony held Saturday at Veterans Park on Fair Avenue. She is currently serving as the den leader for the Tiger and Wolf Dens and leads some of the first- and second-grade scouts. Pack 105 currently consists of about 50 local students fron kindergarten through fifth grade. The Cubs operate independently from the Boy Scout troop, whose members are in grades six through 12. 

Weber was quick to point out that the two groups work often closely together. She spoke highly of the older Scouts. “Our local Boy Scouts are amazing mentors to our young Scouts, and we continue to be grateful for their support and involvement,” she said.

She painted a picture of what goes into being a Cub Scout. “Children meet regularly, sometimes several times a month, to participate in activities and events that are designed to help build character and spiritual growth, encourage good sportsmanship, strengthen family relationships, learn valuable outdoor skills, and develop habits and attitudes of good citizenship and leadership skills,” she said.

A first meeting

Many of the Scouts had their first interaction with local veteran groups at Saturday’s ceremonies. “It was inspiring to witness their attentiveness and respectfulness to our veterans,” said Weber. 

They attended a Veterans Day assembly and flag-raising ceremonies on Friday in partnership with the Stourbridge Primary Center, a school for students in kindergarten through second grade. Nearly 30 local veterans attended and were recognized for their service and duty to our country. Weber offered a personal thank you to Jim Harris, commander of American Legion Post 531, for organizing the event and “for being such a fabulous partner in cultivating the relationship between between our Cub Scout pack and local veterans.”

In closing, she added, “So from our hearts to yours, we thank you for your service, and we look forward to continued partnership with our local veteran groups. Thank you.”

The day included traditional rituals of great poignancy: the posting of the colors, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, prayers and poems, the placing of the wreath by the monument, the POW/MIA table, the rifle salute and the playing of taps.

Take a minute and thank a veteran whenever you meet them; they deserve it. And next year, plan to attend a Veterans Day ceremony to share your feelings with those entrusted to protect our freedom and way of life.