Because of the ongoing pandemic we are unable to do our duty as Scouts by planting flags at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, however, that doesn't mean we don't want to remember those that gave their lives for our country.

This Memorial Day we are working on a number of different ways we can honor those who gave their lives for our freedom as well as thanking those still serving today. We'll have more announcements about 2021 Memorial Day activities in the coming weeks, but we are happy to announce that we will be working with another non-profit organization called “A Million Thanks." We invite Scouts and family members to write letters and messages of appreciation and support for our military, past and present. This May our Scout offices will be serving as drop-off locations for these letters, and it is our goal to see that our military – active, reserve, and veterans – receive these messages, whether they are serving at home, abroad, or are recovering in hospitals. Before writing letters, please read below for more information. 

Do's and Don'ts for your "Thank you Letters"

These letters can take a month or more to reach our troops so please do not make them specific to Memorial Day and instead make it a general thank you letter. We ask that you address the letters generically. Some examples of this may be ‘Dear Hero’ or ‘Dear Troops’.  Please do not send us letters that are written to a specific individual. They send your letters to all U.S. service men and women no matter their branch of service. Please note that A Million Thanks does NOT accept commercial, store-bought greeting cards with pre-printed messages inside. All purchased cards must be blank on the inside and the space should be filled with a handwritten message of support and appreciation.

Content - We encourage you to express your sincere appreciation and support in your messages of thanks. The letters received at A Million Thanks are sent to our U.S. Military personnel serving all around the world, many of whom do not get mail from home! Include information about yourself. Tell about some of your hobbies. Talk about what you are pursuing in school or what your profession might be. Share about service members from your family. Most importantly, be sure to express your appreciation and send some love from home! 

- Send multiple letters together in the same envelope or box, but please bundle the letters in stacks of no more than 50 with rubber bands to keep them together. Bundle the letters or cards in like sizes.

- Only include positive messages. Negative messages will be discarded.

- Be creative! Talk about yourself and maybe draw a picture too! Tell them their service does not go unnoticed. (If you are having little ones color or draw as part of a pack or den meeting, an adult should write a message of thanks and support on the picture as well. All letters send must have written content).

- Feel free to include your address or email address on each letter you write. Some military will write back to you!

- Our troops need to be encouraged. Be kind and use encouraging words to support them! 

- If you are sending multiple letters DO NOT put letters in individual envelopes. Bundle them up and put them in one box or large envelope to mail to us.

- Do not send edible items or other care package items.

- Do not use glitter, confetti, or anything that is not securely attached to the letter or card.

- After completing your letter(s), mail the or bring them to one of our Scout offices (Palo Alto and Foster City Locations) and we will mail them to “A Million Thanks” who will get them out to military personnel.

#UniformsThankingUniforms selfies on social media

We are also encouraging all Scouts to post a photo of themselves saluting in Uniform to social media and tag it #UniformsThankingUniforms to show our Virtual Remembrance for those who gave up so much. Be sure to tag the council in your posts as well! 

Instagram @PacSkyBSA

Facebook @PacificSkylineCouncil

Patches

We are still going to produce Memorial Day patches for 2021 

Patches must be ordered by June 1st 

We will order patches on June 3rd

After we receive the patches, we will mail them to you. Our patch vendor is currently anticipating a 4-week turn-around. We will provide an update at the time we place the order and keep all who purchase patches updated throughout the process.

History

For over 70 years, Scouts around the country have been helping to honor our country’s fallen. It all began in 1949 when Scouts in the Greater St. Louis Council decorated the 190,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with miniature US flags. Since then, it has become one of the largest service projects in the country.

Locally, the Golden Gate National Cemetery was first opened in 1941 and is one of 131 National cemeteries in 39 states. It is the final resting place of 15 Medal of Honor recipients, Congressman Leo Ryan, and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, commander of the US Pacific Fleet during World War II. Each year, Scouts, Scouters, veterans and other community groups from all over the Bay Area gather in tribute to these gallant men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.