In the dead of night, the elusive Coxie's Army strikes again.

Cloaked in the veil of darkness, the shadowy former Boy Scouts impaled a large pumpkin atop the North Miami library's steeple on Halloween night -- marking the 40th anniversary since the tradition began in 1969.

What started as a prank for a group of bored Troop 42 Boy Scouts who were not interested in trick or treating has turned into an affair many city residents look forward to each year.

``It's grown past something that was just a thing among friends, to part of a tradition for this city,'' said Joyce Pernicone, library director since 2006.

Pernicone said she feared the tradition would have ended after the death of Coxie's Army's beloved youngest member -- known only to most locals by his Coxie's Army pseudonym, Sgt. Skeeter -- in July 2008. But that year the pumpkin, albeit carved with a sad face, towered over the library last year.

Although Pernicone makes no claims of knowing the identity of Coxie's Army, she is reassured the tradition will continue.

``They have as much respect for the tradition now as everyone else does. I'm sure they'll keep it going,'' she said.

For those concerned about whether Coxie's Army will be able to continue its practice as its members grow older, the pranksters offered an answer in this year's poem. The poem, an annual tradition, is left at the library for employees to find the morning after Halloween:

``Some new brave lads are welcomed into the gang

They came on when needed, came on with a bang.

Some old that are new, some new that are old

But all Coxie's Army have hearts of pure gold.''

The last stanza reads:

``To that bastion of knowledge, the wonderful Library,

When we think of all we learned here we get teary.

The Great Pumpkin will watch over you all this year,

And for another forty more don't you fear.

Viva la Pumpkin!''

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@