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Saluting veterans through ‘Saluting Branches’ in South Dakota
cemetary

Saluting Branches is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring veterans by having arborists donate free trees at national cemeteries across the United States.

We had seven volunteers and were able to thin and shape eight flowering crabapple trees at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, South Dakota. Donations of time, materials, employees, equipment, prizes and lunch came from Black Hills Energy, Wright Tree Service, Vermeer High Plains and Black Hills National Cemetery, with volunteers contributing their time, equipment and knowledge.

The work completed included various types of pruning, climbing, operating an aerial lift, and managing and chipping debris. Terry Corkins, director of Black Hills National Cemetery, was very pleased with the work that was done and happily invited us back for next year’s event, which we are all looking forward to.

Learn more about Saluting Branches

We partner with our communities and customers, providing the kind of energy that fuels those areas and the lives of those we serve. Feel free to share the stories and photos. Follow us on FacebookInstagram, LinkedIn,Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest for more!

Positive Energy

  • In March, Bethel Church in Rapid City, South Dakota, hosted “Enchanted Evening,” a prom-style gala for people over age 14 with special needs. A meal and dessert were served and there was a DJ and dance floor. There were also flower bouquets, limo rides, hair and makeup stations and a crowning…
  • About 40 Black Hills Energy team members spent Earth Day making improvements to get Camp NOARK in Huntsville, Arkansas, ready for summer. This was the third spring the Arkansas team volunteered for Girl Scouts - Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, in collaboration with the United Way of…
  • We were a sponsor and participant of the Black Hills Home Builders Home Show in Rapid City, South Dakota, earlier this year. Representatives from the South Dakota ambassadors, planning team, operations team, Service Guard and energy efficiency spent the weekend visiting with hundreds of attendees.…
  • Our South Dakota team members got involved in the legislative process and spent the day at the State Capitol during legislative session. In partnership with Elevate Rapid City, we boarded a bus to recognize Rapid City Day at the Capitol. Ambassadors and PAC members enjoyed a tour of the Capitol,…