Saluting Branches program at Black Hills National Cemetery Wednesday

courtesy photo

Black Hills National Cemetery

STURGIS, S.D. – The Black Hills National Cemetery is getting a touch up Wednesday, courtesy of some arborists.

Seventeen volunteers are spending the day pruning, planting, and removing dead or hazardous trees and branches as part of a nonprofit program called Saluting Branches, or Arborists United for Veteran Remembrance.

Derek Makley with Salute to Branches talks about the program.

According to its website, Saluting Branches honors veterans through improving the beauty and safety of the trees on national cemeteries and other veteran properties.

Makley talks about the project at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

The organization has held this volunteer event nationally every year since 2015. This is the second year the organization has spruced up Black Hills National Cemetery.

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