(Riverton, WY) – On March 7, 2026 seventeen volunteers turned out to pick up the nearly 1000 wreaths laid last December for the 2025 Wreaths Across America event. Many hands made light work and the cleanup went very quickly and cheerfully in the fine weather.
“The first cleanup in 2018 was a one-man job using my Civic,” shared Location Leader Karl Falken. “I had to tie the wreaths together in a large mat to the hitch on my car and drag them to the burn pile! This year was completely different!”
Per city ordinance, the Mountain View Cemetery no longer has a burn pile, so the used wreaths must go to the dump. To make this easier, Mike Dimick of Hoppermetals Inc. donated a waste bin in which all the wreaths were loaded.
“I am thankful that so many people volunteered to both place the wreaths and pick them up. Their efficiency and speed truly impressed me.” Dan Ladd, Sexton.
The volunteers were organized by Deanna Booth of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary No. 3628. They took about an hour to pick up all the wreaths. The volunteers were: Sharon Ayars, Deanna Booth, Tricia Burwell, Karen Caress, Darrell Coulter, Bev Dalley, Ben Darnall, Daryl and Sandy Dean, Brooks and Nadene Henderson, Mason Little, Karson Nolting, Kimber Nolting, Patty Quarles, Tina Shaw, and Braeson Woodward.
