Latest news with #ScoutingAmerica
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
On Memorial Day, America's oldest western military cemetery honors the fallen
As the nation paused to honor the sacrifices of America's veterans, Bay Area groups laid wreaths and gathered in cemeteries for solemn ceremonies. At the Benicia Arsenal Post Cemetery, the oldest military cemetery on the West Coast, veterans, families and community members honored the fallen at a Memorial Day service that drew over 150 people. Members of Scouting America raised American flags before the program. The Diablo Regional Concert Band played. Small flags standing sentry by headstones flapped in the breeze. The site was the cemetery for the Benicia Barracks, which served as the headquarters for the U.S. Army's Pacific Division from 1849 to 1857. Over 200 people — including U.S. military personnel as well as some civilians and personnel from abroad — were buried at the site, which accepted new interments until the late 1950s.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
ABQ Boy, Girl Scouts place American flags on veteran headstones for Memorial Day
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It's an annual tradition during Memorial Day weekend for some scout troops in Albuquerque, as a way to honor those who lost their lives fighting for our country. 'I like to pay tribute to the people we've lost in battle,' said one of the Girl Scouts. 'We owe them a great debt of gratitude,' said Peter Stine, an Assistant Boy Scout Master. Sunday, Boy and Girl Scouts took to Sunset Memorial Park to continue that tradition by placing flags on veteran gravesites. 'I think this is a really nice thing that we do every year,' said Catherine Wertz, a Girl Scout. 'It lets us give back to the veterans and honor them.' Boy Scouts of America rebrands to 'Scouting America' For Stine, and Girl Scout leader, Danielle Roesch, the holiday hits close to home. Stine served in the Navy and has been participating in the event for nearly 40 years. 'Memorial Day has always been special to me, because it memorializes the people that were killed in action,' Stine explained. Roesch, on the other hand, is a 20-year veteran. She retired in 2022. 'I have friends I've lost, and so this is a way…I can't get to where they are, so I give back by being here,' Roesch added. Hundreds of flags were placed, as scouts moved from row to row identifying veterans by their headstones. Participants of the event say it illustrates the connection between generations and the ongoing commitment to honoring service and sacrifice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Thrill Geek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Thrill Geek
The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge Opens at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is unleashing its newest and most immersive family attraction – The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge – opening today to all guests. North America's longest family inverted coaster delivers a highly immersive and thematic experience, where families are swept into a world of unparalleled excitement. Set in a bustling Bavarian village, the celebration quickly turns into chaos as glowing red eyes and bone-chilling howls signal the return of a terrifying creature. Riders dash through more than 2,500 feet of track at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. With its thrilling yet accessible design, this ride is perfect for kids, with a minimum height of 42 inches when accompanied by a supervising companion and 48 inches without, ensuring everyone can enjoy this coaster together. Members had the exclusive opportunity to be the first to ride over this past week, and the reviews were enthusiastic, with many eager to ride again and share the experience. Now, the park is excited to open the ride to all guests so everyone can see what the buzz is about. The Virginia park celebrated with a Grand Opening Ceremony, complete with a ribbon cutting, ceremonial first ride, and a DJ dance party. Wolf Scouts from the Colonial Virginia Council of Scouting America joined local dignitaries and Busch Gardens leadership for the inaugural ride. 'Last weekend, we gave our Members the opportunity to preview The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge during our 50th anniversary celebration, and they loved it,' said Kevin Lembke, President of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA. 'The return of the iconic wolf, paired with the nostalgia of our park's history, struck a real chord with guests, and the early reactions have been enthusiastic across the board. It's the perfect opportunity for thrill seekers of all ages to create new memories together.' LIMITED-TIME MEMORIAL DAY SALE! For a limited time, save up to 35% on Fun Cards and Memberships: Fun Card : Unlimited visits to rides, shows, and seasonal events throughout 2025. : Unlimited visits to rides, shows, and seasonal events throughout 2025. Membership: Unlimited visits for 12 months, plus FREE parking, up to 8 FREE guest tickets, VIP events, and exclusive discounts on merchandise, Quick Queu,e and more! For more information on The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf's Revenge and Membership, visit Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Scouts among thousands who honored fallen veterans at L.A. National Cemetery
Scouts from the Western Los Angeles County Council were among the thousands who placed flags and honored the lives of fallen soldiers at the Los Angeles National Cemetery on Saturday. The ceremony included Scouts, community members and veteran groups, according to a media release from Scouting America. A total of 2,600 participants placed more than 90,000 flags ahead of Memorial Day in an event that the council has been putting on for over five decades. Local high school marching band among millions traveling for Memorial Day weekend The groups representing veterans at Saturday's gathering included the Sons of the American Revolution, Civil War, Buffalo Soldier, World War I and World War II, and members provided local Scouts with insight and experiences surrounding serving the country. 'For many Scouts, events like these inspire a lifelong commitment to serving their communities and country,' Rick Breithaupt, Western L.A. County Council Board President, said. 'Over the years, countless scouts have gone on to serve in the armed forces while carrying the values instilled in them through Scouting.' The council's flag planting event is one of SoCal's largest Memorial Day ceremonies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii communities plan Memorial Day weekend ceremonies
Memorial Day will be marked across Hawaii with solemn ceremonies, community gatherings and tributes honoring the nation's fallen service members as residents prepare for remembrance and reflection through a variety of planned events statewide.—Scouts to honor veterans at Punchbowl on Sunday More than 1, 000 Scouts and volunteers from Scouting America, Aloha Council, will gather at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, for the annual Memorial Day Good Turn. As part of this cherished tradition, Scouts will place American flags and fresh lei on every grave to honor those who served. The 74th Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., with remarks from Garrison Commander Col. Rachel Sullivan and music by the 25th Infantry Division Band. In preparation, some Scout units participate in lei sewing efforts, and the public is encouraged to join by donating lei or helping at community sewing events.—War Memorial Natatorium ceremony set for Sunday The city and veterans groups will host a solemn Memorial Day weekend commemoration at 10 a.m. on the lawn fronting the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. The visual tribute will include a veterans motorcycle ride-by, hula by Halau Lilia Makanoe, bagpipes by the Celtic Kula Pipe Band and a rifle volley with the playing of taps. Guest speakers include Mayor Rick Blan giardi, Maj. Gen. Christopher K. Faurot of the U.S. Air Force, and Natatorium historian Jill Byus Radke. The event honors Hawaii's 10, 000 World War I volunteers, more than 100 of whom died in service.—Pearl Harbor to host three days of memorial weekend events Pacific Historic Parks and the National Park Service will present a powerful weekend of remembrance from today through Monday at Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Highlights include a livestreamed underwater dive of the USS Arizona wreckage, guided ranger tours of the USS Utah and Oklahoma memorials, and a free outdoor screening of 'From Here to Eternity.' The Wounded Warrior Project, Navy divers and historians will share real-time commentary during the dive. A special book presentation by WWII scholar Gail Okawa is also scheduled during the weekend.—Community to gather for Haleiwa Memorial Day ceremony today The North Shore Chamber of Commerce and Wahiawa Lions Club will co-host a Memorial Day ceremony at Haleiwa Beach Park today from 9 to 11 a.m. This event honors fallen heroes from Waialua, Haleiwa and Kahuku who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It will feature performances by Ryugen Taiko and the 25th Infantry Division Band, color guard ceremonies by the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, and remarks from Gen. Ronald Clark, Rep. Sean Quinlan and Council member Matt Weyer. A free barbecue hosted by Irreverent Warriors will follow.—Community to create 10, 000 lei for State Veterans Cemetery The public is invited to join the Lei of Aloha event at Windward Mall in Kaneohe today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to help create 10, 000 lei for placement at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Volunteers are encouraged to donate flowers such as plumeria, bougainvillea, stephanotis and crown flowers. On Sunday, Girl Scout troops will place the lei and American flags on grave sites in a visual tribute to fallen service members.—Lantern Floating ceremony to return to Ala Moana beach The Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii ceremony will take place on Memorial Day, Monday, at 6 :30 p.m. at Ala Moana Regional Park. Thousands are expected to gather to honor departed loved ones by releasing lanterns inscribed with personal messages into the water. Free lanterns will be distributed beginning at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Submissions for collective lanterns can also be made online.—Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the 50th State Fair The 50th State Fair returned to Aloha Stadium on Friday and runs through July 7. Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the fair offers carnival rides, local food, games, circus acts, live music and monster truck shows—fun for all ages.
