Wreaths Across America local ceremonies planned

The annual Wreaths Across America will unfold this week with two separate wreath-laying events.

The Civil Air Patrol Flathead Composite Squadron will be laying wreaths on Friday, Dec. 17, and is asking for community volunteers to help out. They will start at Glacier Memorial Gardens, 2659 U.S. 93 N. at 8 a.m. Friday, and will then proceed to C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery and Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

Capt. Wendy Thiesen of the Flathead Composite Squadron said that for the first time, the community’s generosity is allowing the squadron to place a wreath on each veteran’s grave throughout the three cemeteries.

“We’ll be placing close to 2,500 wreaths; it’s a big task,” Thiesen said.

More information is available online on the Flathead Composite Squadron’s Facebook page.

THE CELEBRATION at the Montana Veterans Home will occur on Saturday, Dec. 18, starting at 10 a.m. The Veterans Home is located at 400 Veteran Drive in Columbia Falls. The entire ceremony will occur outside at the cemetery, so those attending should dress for the weather.

Due to community giving, there are wreaths for every grave at the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery this year. Donations that arrived throughout the year have provided the Glacier Chapter of Wreaths Across America with the 862 wreaths.

Students will place memorial wreaths as part of the organization’s goal to teach the next generation about the sacrifices and role of our military.

The Columbia Falls High School Sonifers will sing the National Anthem and a couple of other songs. Bugler Dana Scranton will perform taps. The ceremony will be led by Pastor Shawn Osborne, a veteran who was also the chaplain for the Navy SEALs. There will be a special presentation of the USS Montana submarine ship’s bell.

Steve Armstrong, president of the Glacier Chapter-Sons of the American Revolution, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Once the formal ceremonies are concluded, the public is invited to place wreaths on the graves. Information about the 2022 wreath donation campaign will be announced at the ceremony.