Lacey Cub Scouts Lay Wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns

Submitted by Paul O'Sullivan:

On Aug. 17, eight boys from Lacey Township’s Pack 35 Eagle Patrol were privileged to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Under the leadership of scout leaders Fran McMurran and Kelly Cignarella, the boys presented the wreath in the Class “A” uniforms during the ceremony, with over 100 visitors present, including parents, relatives and siblings of the boys.

The boys represented Pack 35 well as they maintained strict silence and showed good teamwork and discipline.  Four of the boys had their names chosen to bring the wreath forward.  They were Jarod Donovan, Michael O’Sullivan, Brody Morris, and Ryan Tierney.  The other four boys included Michael McMurran, Alex Cignarella, Evan Brower, and Aidan Ping.  They presented flowers at the JFK memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.  After the wreath was placed, taps was played in front of the somber, respectful crowd. 

According to Kelly Cignarella, the boys were quiet and nervous at first as they met the soldiers but they felt privileged and honored as they watched their first changing of the guard.  “I think they were very respectful and in a little bit of awe.  They saw the discipline required of those soldiers as they performed their duties.”  When asked what she was feeling as the boys participated in the ceremony, she said, “I had an overwhelming sense of pride in all of them to see how they’ve matured in the last few years.  They went from boys to young men.  They represented Lacey Township and Pack 35 with dignity and honor.”  Fran McMurran added that it was a great time of year to go. She explained that the boys are making the transition to Boy Scouts soon and the citizenship experience was very valuable.

One of the boys, Michael O’Sullivan noted how serious the soldiers were until they introduced themselves. 

“He came up to us very seriously and then said hello in a very fun, friendly way” he said.  Alex Cignarella commented on how hard the job was that the soldiers do. “They have a tough time.  That fast gun trick was great.” Ryan Tierney said,

“They were very serious and they must practice a lot.”   As far as being part of the ceremony, Alex said, “It felt like you were very important, like you were meant to be there.”  Ryan Tierney said he was calm during the ceremony because the soldiers helped him learn what to do. 

Fran McMurran expressed pride in the boys as well. 

“I was amazed at how they’ve grown since being Tigers in first grade” 

She explained that the soldiers were great with the boys.  “The Liaison and the guards were very, very nice.  The boys followed their lead.  The soldiers explained what the boys had to do and answered any questions.”

The scout leaders, Fran McMurran and Kelly Cignarella, organized a three-day trip which included tours of the U.S. Capitol Building, the National Monuments, Arlington Cemetery and the museums of the National Mall.  The patrol also had flags flown at the Capitol to honor individual members of the U.S. military.  In addition the boys all earned their Traveler pin by learning to use the Washington D.C. Metro system. 

The boys enjoyed their trip to D.C.  Jarod Donovan said he liked the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier best while Michael McMurran said he liked the Lincoln Memorial.  Aidan Ping especially liked the Museum of Natural History.  Ryan Tierney said he enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial as well, as his dad made it fun for him.  Brody Morris talked about his favorite part being the ceremony at the Tomb. Evan Brower liked the tour of the Capitol Building.  Alex Cignarella enjoyed the bus tour of the monuments and Michael O’Sullivan liked the metro as it was his first time in a subway.

Perhaps Evan Brower said it best when asked about the trip: “I respect and honor that we still think of the soldiers that died by doing the wreath-laying ceremony.”