Scouts Decorate Graves to Mark Memorial Day : City Announces WasteWatch Awards

For Cub Scout Kevin Kadium, Memorial Day used to mean little more than just another day off school.

But thanks to Camarillo’s American Legion Post 741, it’s different this year.

The bright-eyed 7-year-old joined about 40 other Tiger, Cub, Boy and Girl Scouts at the Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo on Saturday to plant hundreds of flags at the graves of fallen American servicemen.

“I didn’t know too much about it before,” Kevin said.

“But now I know that they all fought so other people wouldn’t take over.”

The Scouts were on hand to help the American Legion decorate the cemetery with more than 700 flags for Monday’s Memorial Day celebration.

In the process, they got a lesson on one of the country’s most sacred holidays.

“It’s wonderful having the kids out here, and we’re taking the opportunity to teach them why Memorial Day is so important to guys like me,” said Richard Lee, a veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post.

“Besides, for guys my age, this is tough work.”

Memorial Day was begun in 1868 by Gen. John A. Logan of the Union Army, who declared that the day would be set aside to lay flowers on the graves of soldiers who died in defense of the Union.

After World War I, the holiday was used to honor all American soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in defense of their country.

Sharon Branigan, den leader for Cub Scout Troop 3786, helped organize the event.

“I felt that, at least for my son, it was important to recognize the importance of the holiday,” she said.

“And I think it worked, because it’s hard not to be touched when you look out at all the flags and realize these people sacrificed to protect everyone back home.”

Altogether about 1,000 flags adorned the 14-acre cemetery, which is tucked into a notch in the craggy hills.

The contrast of the crisp flags against the brown hills and piquant parsley fields that border the cemetery lent the event a beautiful poignancy.

“It’s so nice that these kids are out doing this,” said Bee Sylvester of Port Hueneme, who was polishing her husband’s bronze headstone with a toothbrush and cooking oil.

“They’re so enthusiastic, and it was such a nice surprise for me because it showed they cared.”

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital has been recognized for its recycling program, which includes sending unused or reusable medical supplies to developing countries and distributing old linen and blankets to the needy.

The fifth annual WasteWatch award program, sponsored by the city, is intended to encourage waste reduction and recycling in the business sector of the community.

Imation Corp. also received a Gold Award in the category of Continued Excellence in Waste Reduction Programs because it has reduced the amount of waste it sends to landfills by 72% since 1990. It also has hosted the city’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Round-up Program for the third year in a row.

“We do this to heighten the awareness of the business community about the importance of waste reduction as a sound business practice,” said Becky Guay, recycling management assistant, adding that officials look for businesses that go beyond simply recycling paper and incorporate an environment-friendly philosophy into all aspects of the operation.

Demand Systems Computers and Software, which won the Best ReUse Program Award for the second consecutive year, repairs and upgrades old computers, keeping them out of the landfills, and donates refurbished computers to several charities.

The two Vons markets in Camarillo received the Best Composting Program Award for their participation in an innovative program to compost produce trimmings and to recycle meat scraps. The two stores recycle 90% of their waste.

Other Gold Award recipients are Advanced Motion Controls, EMI Music Distribution and Promotional Products USA.

Silver Award recipients include the Confederate Air Force and the Camarillo Health Care District.