WHEATLAND – Platte County’s Civil Air Patrol (CAP) unit laid 162 wreaths on the graves of veterans through the Wreaths across America program last weekend.

The program has been around for 14 years and is nation-wide. CAP fundraises all year long to buy as many wreaths as they can for Platte County cemeteries. This year the group hung wreaths in Wheatland, Dwyer, Guernsey, Hartville, Torrington and at a State Troopers memorial along the highway.  
A ceremony was held at the Armory in Wheatland and then the group drove out and placed a wreath for each branch of the military at the memorial at Wheatland Cemetery: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marines, Coast Guard and Prisoner of War.  
This year the local VFW got involved and contributed an impressive 54 wreaths. Individuals may simply donate to the cause or purchase a wreath for a specific loved one’s grave. Orders and donations need to be in before Thanksgiving. For more information go to: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
CAP meets every Tuesday evening at the National Guard Armory in Wheatland at 6 p.m. It is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. They offer a cadet program for kids age 12 to 18-years-old that teaches leadership, aerospace, fitness and character. The cadets work towards achievements and are able to rank up in their squadron to positions of leadership.