Letter: Calverton flags teach our children
Jocelyn, 12, and Michaela, 16 months, placing flags at Calverton National Cemetery Credit: Lynne Alba, Islip Terrace
The May 30 editorial “Our children need to know,” about the meaning of Memorial Day, makes the point that “today’s children, and even some adults, seem more removed from the meaning and commemoration of Memorial Day.”
Newsday’s news pages missed an opportunity to show adults teaching children about the holiday. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Legion groups, church groups and others came out to Calverton National Cemetery and decorated more than 210,000 graves on May 28.
The next day, you printed one photo of a Girl Scout placing a flag at Pinelawn National Cemetery, with another of a veteran saluting. There was no story, no context.
At Calverton, Scout leaders and parents impressed upon their children the importance of remembering the heroes interred there, complete strangers who were each honored with grave site flags.
Frank Bailey, Middle Island
Editor’s note: The writer is chairman of the U.S. Gravesite Flag Committee at Calverton.
