The Yellowstone Regional Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol participated in Wreaths Across America for the 14th year on Saturday, Dec. 16. Wreath sponsorships gathered over 350 wreaths for veterans’ gravesites at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell and Riverside Cemetery in Cody.

A short ceremony was conducted at Absaroka Senior Living in Cody, with Absaroka residents and community members in attendance. Several resident veterans laid ceremonial wreaths to honor the various military services and POW/MIAs. Members of the Yellowstone Squadron presented and retrieved the United States and Wyoming flags at the beginning and conclusion of the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, a group of Civil Air Patrol members and community volunteers helped place honorary wreaths on various veteran gravesites at both cemeteries. Some sponsors had requested a specific grave site and those were laid with honor and care.

This year Wreaths Across America supported over 4,200 cemeteries across the United States. Wreaths were shipped via volunteer truck drivers prior to the ceremony. A national ceremony and wreath laying occurs every year at Arlington Cemetery, with each grave receiving a wreath. It is a challenge each year to procure enough sponsorships to do the same locally.

Wreaths Across America is again offering a buy one, get one deal. For every wreath purchased from now through Jan. 16, Wreaths Across America will donate an additional wreath. This will help tremendously in reaching the goal of over 500 wreaths for Powell and over 1,000 for Cody.

Sponsors can purchase the $17 wreaths online at wreathsacross
america.org/WY0005P At the bottom of the page are links for either cemetery. Orders can also be placed with Lt. Col. BJ Carlson, who can be contacted at capcommander@gmail.com or at 307-762-3536. Any community members who are interested in promoting Wreaths Across America throughout the year would be most welcome.