POCONO TOWNSHIP -- An American Legion post in the Poconos is looking for some help from the community as it works to honor veterans this Memorial Day.
Flags are tattered, and veterans' markers are missing. Mount Pocono's American Legion Commander Thomas Bowditch says he just recently happened to come across the cemetery near Tannersville and is now working to get it cleaned up in time for Memorial Day.
"When we took over from Tannersville, we now have 16 cemeteries. We have a Boy Scout Troop 85, they're a great help. Without them we wouldn't be able to do it," said Bowditch.
Boy Scout Troop 85 volunteers to remove the damaged flags every year.
"The kids, I think, learn to respect the veterans, to understand what it means to fight for our country," said interim Scout Master Robert Hatton of Boy Scout Troop 85.
But there's one veteran's grave in the Poconos this group says it hasn't been able to locate in years. Now it's looking to the community for help.
"It's called Klaus family. I don't even know his first name, but it must be a family cemetery. There's one marker in there. It must be a family member. Nobody seems to know where it is," said Bowditch.
The Mount Pocono American Legion doesn't just need help locating other forgotten graves like the ones near Tannersville. They also have a big project right up Route 611 and could use your help.
The American Legion is looking to add a large American flag, with five others surrounding it at a memorial in Pocono Township.
Eagle Scout candidate Brett Patterson of Scotrun says he plans to do the improvements.
"I wanted to do something to the best of my ability that I could give back to them and say thank you for your service and everything that you've done for us," said Patterson.
Patterson is coordinating landscaping and helping raise the $5,000 needed.
Veterans say it's a project they're looking forward to starting, with the community's support.
"It's a big job, but we're glad to do it," said Bowditch.
You can donate to help fund the Eagle Scout Project through their GoFundme Account.
You can contact the Mount Pocono American Legion at 570-595-7145.
