The Flathead Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol hosted its annual Wreaths Across America event this last Saturday, laying over 1,300 wreaths on the graves of local veterans.

A ceremony occurred simultaneously at the Veterans Memorial in Depot Park in Kalispell that saw wreaths placed for each military branch. Volunteers from the Flathead Composite Squadron were joined by several other service organizations, including the Girl Scouts of America, the Future Farmers of America and the Kalispell Fire Department, as well as families of local veterans, in placing wreaths at Glacier Memorial, Woodlawn and Conrad cemeteries in Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

Cadets from the Flathead Composite Squadron spent the summer fundraising, with the community donating more than $22,000 for wreath purchases this year. 

“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to ‘Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.’ We’re proud of the work our cadets have done and believe we lived up to that mission this year,” said Toth Mendius, operations officer.

While organizers deemed the event a success, they noted that many veterans’ headstones still went without a wreath this year. 

“Our goal for 2025 was originally 2,000 wreaths, which would’ve ensured every veteran’s grave at our three cemeteries had a wreath, and would’ve left excess for smaller cemeteries around the valley,” said David Gründler, squadron commander. “We encourage community members and local businesses to join our effort in 2026, to ensure none of the fallen veterans in our community go unrecognized.”

Founded in 1941 and established as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force seven years later, Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit organization for the purposes of youth development, aerospace education and to promote general aviation.