November 11, 2020, Bennington, VT - When citing rising COVID-19 transmission, organizers elected to cancel this year's 21st Annual Veterans Day Parade, the Scouts of the Green Mountain Council adapted, finding a new creative way to recognize Vermont's servicemen and women who have been isolated during the pandemic.
This year's Scouting Salute to Veterans will shift from the Ludlow parade site to the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, where Scouts from across Vermont will show their appreciation of residents on November 11. Following a wreath laying ceremony, Scouts representing local Packs and Troops will process from nearby Mt. Anthony Union High School to join up with a color guard from VFW Post 1332, Bennington. They will also deliver their gourmet popcorn to veterans to enjoy before saluting residents safely from outside their windows.
"We are extremely honored to have VFW Post 1332 and the Boy Scouts of America on the grounds of the Vermont Veterans' Home this Veteran's Day," said Vermont Veterans' Home Chief Operating Officer Col. Al Faxon. "The ceremony will honor all who served our great nation, and in our Home here in Bennington, we have liberators of concentration camps, tankers, infantrymen, Navy nurses, mechanics, and more, from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan."
Across the state, Packs and Troops are also organizing local tributes in partnership with other service organizations to commemorate veterans. Some planned tributes include community memorial cleanups and visits to the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph.
"It's important that we continue to find opportunities to acknowledge the sacrifices of those men and women who have fought to safeguard the liberties we enjoy," said Mark Saxon, Scout Executive and CEO of the Green Mountain Council. "Helping other people at all times remains the duty of every Scout, and we are grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to our Veterans, many of whom have been living without access to their loved ones since March."
Media is encouraged to attend the ceremony which will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at the Vermont Veterans' Home. For more information, visit www.scoutingvermont.org/veterans-parade
This year's Scouting Salute to Veterans will shift from the Ludlow parade site to the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington, where Scouts from across Vermont will show their appreciation of residents on November 11. Following a wreath laying ceremony, Scouts representing local Packs and Troops will process from nearby Mt. Anthony Union High School to join up with a color guard from VFW Post 1332, Bennington. They will also deliver their gourmet popcorn to veterans to enjoy before saluting residents safely from outside their windows.
"We are extremely honored to have VFW Post 1332 and the Boy Scouts of America on the grounds of the Vermont Veterans' Home this Veteran's Day," said Vermont Veterans' Home Chief Operating Officer Col. Al Faxon. "The ceremony will honor all who served our great nation, and in our Home here in Bennington, we have liberators of concentration camps, tankers, infantrymen, Navy nurses, mechanics, and more, from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan."
Across the state, Packs and Troops are also organizing local tributes in partnership with other service organizations to commemorate veterans. Some planned tributes include community memorial cleanups and visits to the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph.
"It's important that we continue to find opportunities to acknowledge the sacrifices of those men and women who have fought to safeguard the liberties we enjoy," said Mark Saxon, Scout Executive and CEO of the Green Mountain Council. "Helping other people at all times remains the duty of every Scout, and we are grateful for the opportunity to show our appreciation to our Veterans, many of whom have been living without access to their loved ones since March."
Media is encouraged to attend the ceremony which will begin promptly at 11 a.m. at the Vermont Veterans' Home. For more information, visit www.scoutingvermont.org/veterans-parade
| Scouting Salute to Veterans Press Release |
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