Early morning on May 23 members of the Navigator Pathfinder and Adventurer Club and the Western Eagles Pathfinder Club gathered at Fort Bliss National Cemetery alongside hundreds of other volunteers. Together, they took part in a meaningful Memorial Day tradition: placing an American flag on each of the cemetery’s 60,000 graves in preparation for the Memorial Day services the following Monday.
The volunteers included Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as representatives from local and national businesses, educational institutions, and other organizations. El Paso Times, the local newspaper, also reported on the event, with several of the Pathfinders featured in photos from the morning.
Memorial Day holds a special significance in the El Paso community because of Fort Bliss. Many of our El Paso Adventist churches are filled with service men and women who spend a season with us during their tenure at Fort Bliss, and some of our Pathfinders and Adventurers are part of these military families.
For our young people, participating in this event was more than simply placing flags. It was an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made by the few to ensure the freedoms we enjoy today. Standing among the graves and honoring those who served provided a meaningful reminder of the cost of freedom and the importance of remembering those who gave so much for others.