GILLETTE, Wyo. — Campbell County is preparing for Wreaths Across America, an annual event that honors and memorializes veterans.
WY069 Powder River Composite Squadron Maj. Toni C. Brown and cadets are arranging multiple Wreaths ceremonies in December. Ceremonies are scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 17 at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, 804 S. Emerson Ave., Gillette; 8 a.m. Dec. 19 at Recluse Elementary, 31 Greenough Road, Recluse; 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at Rozet Elementary, 14054 WY-51, Rozet. In Wright, ceremonies will take place at 9 a.m. Dec. 20 at 4-J School, 2830 WY-50, Wright; according to a flier Brown sent County 17.
WY069 Powder River Composite Squadron Maj. Toni C. Brown, CAP, and cadets make a presentation on Wreaths Across America Campbell County activities at the Gillette City Council meeting Nov. 15. (GPA TV)
Town of Wright Deputy Clerk and Deputy Treasurer Paula Strohschein said students in social studies teacher Roger Tresch’s classes will have the opportunity to participate in an essay contest and the winning essay will be read at a ceremony at about 3:15 p.m. Dec. 20 at Wright Junior Senior High School, 220 Wright Blvd.
Every year, the names and branches of service of the five veterans buried at Wright Cemetery are recited at the ceremony, she said. The ceremony will also include patriotic music and end with “Taps,” Strohschein said.
Town of Wright orders wreaths to honor current and veteran service members and a local youth group delivers wreaths to veterans who are local residents. In 2021, 32 local veterans received wreaths, along with a thank you note on a coloring sheet from Cottonwood Elementary students, Strohschein said. Some of the students did a coloring sheet for older siblings who are in the armed forces, she said. The students will do the same activity this year, she said.
The public is also invited to join First National Bank of Gillette’s Wreaths event.
That event will take place at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at the bank, which is at 319 S. Gillette Ave., Gillette.
First National Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Danna Burchess said Nov. 28 that she met Brown at a Rotary meeting and was inspired to arrange the event to honor Campbell County veterans. Burchess said she’s purchased 50 wreaths on behalf of the bank and plans to buy more to recognize veterans. The bank will present the wreaths at the ceremony. She said she also plans to have patriotic music and refreshments at the event.
Anyone who would like to honor or remember specific veterans through the event should email the operations team at ops@fnbgillette.com by 5 p.m. Tuesday and provide the name, military branch and years of service of their loved one or ones, Burchess said.
The cadets met with the Gillette City Council and the Campbell County Board of Commissioners to receive resolutions on Nov. 15.
WY069 Powder River Composite Squadron Maj. Toni C. Brown, CAP, and cadets listen as Campbell County Commissioner Rusty Bell reads from the county’s Wreaths Across America proclamation at the Campbell County Commissioners meeting Nov. 15. (GPA TV)
Brown and cadets received a proclamation at the Nov. 27 Wright Town Council meeting as well, as Strohschein confirmed this morning.
Campbell County has participated in Wreaths Across America since 2013, Brown said. This year’s theme is “Find A Way To Serve.”
Campbell County Commissioners passed this resolution:
(Campbell County)
Gillette City Council approved this resolution:
(City of Gillette)
To sponsor a wreath, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/WY0003P. As of 9:30 p.m. Nov. 28, Powder River Composite Squadron’s sponsorship goal of 1,000 wreaths is 39.1% complete, the website said.
