The schedule has been announced for Brookfield’s annual Memorial Day observance, and several dozen volunteers helped further the effort Saturday, May 19, by decorating veterans’ graves in Brookfield Township Cemetery.
Volunteers attached medallions and flags to pins on the 1,200 vets’ graves. Members of the township’s road department had placed pins to hold the flags and medallions earlier in the week.
Members of Cub Scout Pack 62 in Brookfield heed the call every year, said Scoutmaster Matt Glover.
“I think it’s important to honor the veterans that served to fight for this nation and provide the freedom we have today,” said Glover, noting a member of Girl Scout Troop 80010 also was along.
“The boys love it,” he said. “They always have questions and intriguing minds.”
Troops 122 and 28 from Howland had never come to Brookfield before, although they had decorated cemeteries elsewhere, but Scoutmaster Bob Sincich said he committed Troop 122 right away when he heard of the need for volunteers.
“I think it’s the right thing to do to honor those who served our country and made it what it is today,” said Sincich, who is from Brookfield.
Andrea Wesco said she was asked to help with the effort, and she brought her 18-year-old daughter, Madison.
“It’s very interesting, all those old stones,” she said in the oldest part of the cemetery.
Madison called the effort a “good cause” and said it shows respect.
Wesco said she plans to come again, making sure she has her younger daughter, Lexi, with her.
The Memorial Day program, which will take place in the cemetery, will be preceded by a parade.
Organizers said any veterans and community groups that want to march are asked to meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 28, at the site of the former Brookfield Middle School on Grove Street. Units will head out at 10 a.m., moving west on Grove to Route 7, and then marching south to the cemetery.
At the cemetery’s veterans memorial, the program will include a keynote address from retired Air Force MSgt Thomas Matusch, a Brookfield High School graduate.
Those attending the ceremony are invited to a community luncheon served by Brookfield Township Volunteer Firemen’s Auxiliary in the township fire department social hall on Route 7 following the ceremony.
