Jacob Jones wandered through the lush hills of Mt. Lebanon Cemetery scanning every craggy gravestone. He paused to brush leaves and grass from an older marker, then dropped down for a closer look.

Squinting in the late afternoon sun, the sandy blond 10-year-old from Dormont's Boy Scout Troop 23 was hunting for "eagles and shields" -- signs that he was standing near the final resting place of a veteran.

"There we go," he said, pulling an American flag from several clutched in his hand. "We finally found one."

With a firm grip, he pushed the flag's wooden pole into the earth just to the right of the grave belonging to Lt. Col. George R. Williamson, a member of the Army Reserve during World War II.

"At first I thought, oh, I'm just putting flags down," Jacob said, recalling his first experience honoring veterans four years ago, when he was a first-grader. "Now I think it's a service to them ... we've recognized that they served in the wars and they fought for our freedom."

By sundown, Jacob and dozens of Mt. Lebanon and Dormont Boy, Girl and Cub scouts had flooded the serene cemetery, leaving behind 2,000 flags to honor veterans' service and sacrifice. Most in full regalia, the 75 Scouts darted from grave to grave holding bundles of flags under their arms, their parents trailing behind.

Red, white and blue winked from the cemetery's green hills soon after the Scouts set out on their mission, a yearly Memorial Day tribute that Cub Scout 28 Cubmaster Anthony Moretti called "the most poignant event we do all year."

"Just take your time," coordinator John Balkovec told the Scouts, who surrounded him while he issued flags from the back of a minivan. "Check every grave."

Despite their speed, the Scouts said their work wasn't in haste. They took note of the array of wars carved into the headstones and sought out modest markers for fear they had been overlooked.

"Everyone deserves to get a flag," said Sarah Mandelblatt, 11, of Mt. Lebanon Girl Scout Troop 1775.

While most never knew the veterans they honored, some imagined them and thought of their service. For others, the evening tribute conjured thoughts of the Sept. 11 attacks and of the soldiers serving in Iraq.

"I think about the war, and sometimes, I don't know why, but I think about the Twin Towers," said Daniel Huff, 11, of Cub Scout Pack 870, adding that his thoughts were with his band teacher, who was recently called to active duty.

Sarah and her friend, Mira Shenouda, 11, noted the ages on the graves.

"Some of them, it seems like, were really young when they died," Sarah said.

"It's kind of unfortunate," Mira added.

The pair moved quickly across a swath of the cemetery.

"You found one?" Mira asked. "Yep!" Sarah shouted back. Together, they smoothed the grass and planted the flag, making sure not to let the cloth touch the ground.

"It's disrespectful," Mira said. They paused to read the name: Joseph P. Ruppert, PFC, U.S. Army. Then, it was on to the next.