As the American flag flews at half-staff above, more than a dozen Valley children stood in a half circle, holding small American flags in their hands.

The group, made up of five Boy and Girl Scout troops, helped mark Memorial Day ceremonies Monday, May 25, at Valley cemeteries and monuments.

“There are more kids here this year than ever before,” said Cub Scout mom Karen Andring.

“It seems like every year, there are few more kids,” added husband Jim Green.

The troops remind families about Memorial Day, provide directions and make it as easy as possible to attend, said Khalil Nassar, Cubmaster for Troop 452 in North Bend.

The purpose of the day is to remember those that served the country, and died in that service, he said.

Children learn about soldiers and service on television and movies.

“This makes it real for them,” Andring said.

“The thing that’s most moving is to see the veterans and how much they appreciate the kids being here,” she added. “To see that somebody young is willing to come out and take the time to remember.

Following a commemoration, rifle salute and Taps, families and children moved among the gravestones at the North Bend cemetery, cleaning stones or just thinking about the lives of the fallen, old and young.

Scouts discovered a child’s gravestone and found Valley settlers born before the Civil War.

“You watch their faces when they start figuring out how old people are,” Andring said.