A Lakewood arborist's salute to service

Nov. 7, 2023 - When most people visit cemeteries, their eyes don’t typically wander up to the trees surrounding the gravestones, but that’s where one of Lakewood’s forestry staff is looking as part of an effort to pay tribute to veterans and their families by applying his unique skills to a local national military cemetery.

Lakewood forestry supervisor Luke Killoran was recently named a Denver7 Everyday Hero for his work with the nonprofit Saluting Branches, which brings together arborists to trim trees, remove distressed ones and plant new ones at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.

Killoran follows in the footsteps of previous Lakewood forestry staff, including now-retired supervisor John Dzialo, who have been lending their services to Fort Logan for years. The work is done to honor veterans by making their final resting places in the national cemeteries not only more beautiful, but safe for family members and others to visit their loved ones. 

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