(Hudson, WY) – A small but dedicated group gathered on Saturday, December 14, at the Hudson Cemetery to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. The event, organized by the local nonprofit Hudson Community Heroes, marked the first full-participation for the cemetery.
On a breezy hill, beneath tattered American and Wyoming flags, a pristine Military Appreciation Wreath, donated by a Lander business, was displayed. The handmade and beautifully adorned wreath was situated near individual service branch wreaths, plus one dedicated to POW/MIA service members. Throughout this year, Hudson Community Heroes worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the event. This included a clean comedy fundraiser in February and a gun show inside the Hudson town hall building in June.
As more internments were discovered at the cemetery, fundraising efforts intensified to ensure each military grave received a wreath. All funds raised were used to purchase wreaths, while the nonprofit covered additional costs such as volunteer pins, patches, and advertising.
The ceremony began with Girl Scouts joining Maralyne Middour in leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Middour’s speech at the ceremony highlighted the importance of remembering, honoring, and teaching all generations, particularly young people, about the price our nation’s veterans have paid throughout history to ensure our freedoms. She also emphasized the 2024 theme of “Live With Purpose,” encouraging attendees to live their lives in a way that makes a difference within their community. The ceremony was a cogent reminder of the debt of gratitude owed to our veterans and a call to action to ensure their legacy lives on.
Fremont County Girl Scouts, accompanied by their parents, actively participated in the ceremony, wreath placement, and a post-event refreshment gathering at the local Yablonski Memorial Library. Susan Bronson, Member Experience Director for Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming, has worked to engage troops throughout Fremont County to assist with projects in Hudson, starting with the comedy fundraiser where they sold bottled water to raise money earmarked for Wreaths Across America, and in the late spring when Girl Scouts embarked on beautification of Gold Star Memorial Park on Main Street.
The ceremony in the Hudson Cemetery centered around the heavily weathered and water stained VFW Memorial, a poignant reminder of the local veterans’ service through the Frank Homec Post 4799 and Auxiliary which ceased to exist more than ten years ago. In total 117 Wreaths were placed in the Hudson Cemetery, including on the grave of Homec. Following the ceremony and wreath laying, the 36-inch Military Appreciation Wreath, provided by a local business for the event, was subsequently donated to the Lander VFW Popo Agie Post 954 & Auxiliary.
