Grey heads bowed alongside youthful ones at Memorial Day ceremonies at three Snoqualmie Valley cemeteries this weekend.

Valley veterans shared solemn duties with groups of Boy Scout, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops on Monday, May 31. Groups of flag bearers, first the older veterans, followed by children, marched flags onto rain-showered greens at Preston, Fall City and North Bend ceremonies.

At each, a chaplain from the American Legion’s Renton Pickering Post read an invocation, a rifle honor guard fired several volleys, and a bugler played taps.

Veterans said they were impressed by the turnout of young people.

“I always encourage my own kids,” said Robin Kolke, a parent with Cub Scout Pack 452. “It’s really important for them to remember our history and the sacrifices that were made so that we could have our freedom now.”

Dakota McFall, a Cub with North Bend-based Pack 452, enjoyed carrying a color guard flag. Afterward, he solemnly reflected on the meaning of the day.

“It’s kind of sad, because of all the people that died,” McFall said. “If you had a relative, it’s even sadder.”

Ceremonies concluded with a lunch at the American Legion Post in Snoqualmie.