Boy Scouts from various parts of Metro Manila gathered this Monday, July 28, at the Manila North Cemetery for the celebration of the 62nd Scout Memorial Day. The ceremony aims to remember the 24 young scouts who died in a plane crash in 1963 while en route to the 11th World Jamboree in Greece.
According to Kim Robert de Leon, secretary general of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, “Because of that sad event, 62 years have passed but we are still here to honor and remember their lives.”
The Boy Scouts are not only remembered in ceremonies. There are streets in Quezon City named after them. There is also a Boy Scouts’ Circle that serves as a memorial to their sacrifice and sometimes serves as a place for gatherings.
In his speech, Atty. Emilio Aquino, national president of the Boy Scouts, emphasized that the 24 scouts continue to inspire the new generation. Part of the program was a prayer and wreath-laying ceremony as a tribute.
The 11th World Jamboree Memorial Foundation, led by Arthur Tuason, led the celebration. “For them, we pray for God’s blessings, we know they did everything they could,” said Tuason.
