As Saluting Branches continues to grow, our logistics coordinators help make sure each site has the support, guidance, and preparation it needs for a successful Day of Service. We’re proud to feature Susie Zderic, a dedicated volunteer who brings both professional expertise and a personal connection to the mission.

What inspired you to get involved with Saluting Branches?
I got involved through SouthFork Tree Service, and the mission hit home for me. My husband served in the U.S. Air Force. It felt like a powerful and personal way to give back.

How long have you been volunteering with the organization?
I’ve been a Certified Arborist and TRAQ-qualified since 2021 and started volunteering with Saluting Branches that same year.

What’s one memorable moment from a past event?
There’s something incredibly humbling about that first moment when you enter the cemetery. And seeing all the trucks lined up, ready to serve, it’s a powerful reminder of the impact we’re about to make.

What do you hope people take away from their Saluting Branches experience?
I hope they leave with enough enthusiasm to return the following year. I’ve got five team members from different branches of the military who are already excited to come back. They can’t wait to do it again.

How do you engage and motivate volunteers at your site?
My volunteers know me, and they know how driven I am to make the day a success. Because of that, everyone steps up 110% to make it happen.

Susie reflects further on what Saluting Branches means to her.

I was invited to Saluting Branches shortly after becoming an ISA Certified Arborist in 2021. I participated with my husband and our tree service at Tahoma National Cemetery and was instantly humbled by the experience and the other “treeple” we were working with. Everyone I meet since that first time, when I mention Saluting Branches and talk about it, is instantly interested and wants to participate.

As an Air Force veteran, my husband said, “we should do this every year” and of course I agreed. We participated again at Tahoma in 2022 and then were asked to be the site leaders going forward. Of course, I was excited and nervous but figured it could be done and shouldn’t be that difficult. We did Tahoma again in 2023 and then expected to do Tahoma again in 2024, but then the curve ball came: A new site!

Wow, now what do? I still feel green and wet behind the ears! I mentioned this to some friends who also participated because of our invitation and have become my excellent assistants consisting of a retired Coast Guard Captain and a retired tree person who are a couple. They took over the procurement of raffle items and I took care of the recruiting and food provisions. I called all the restaurants and small businesses in town and was able to procure donuts from Legendary Donuts and Pizza from Route 66 Pizza, and they too feel honored to be included.

I called every tree service around the new site, Washington Soldiers Home and Cemetery, in Orting Washington, about two hours from my house and found several small companies very excited to participate. While I also volunteer for the PNW ISA chapter tree climbing competitions, I was able to recruit teams from Davey and Bartlett. Bartlett will be helping at Fort Lawton this year. The small services are coming again this year along with a new one! We also have great neighbors who also participate as well as several family members (some are former military) and each year they say the same: What is next year’s date so I can mark the calendar? We feel truly blessed to be able to participate in and lead such an extraordinary event. The gratitude shown by the cemetery staff and directors is above and beyond anything you would expect.

As a personal touch last year, with the blessing of Saluting Branches logo use, we made swag bags with some PPE, water, granola bars and fruit snacks. They were a great hit so I will be doing that again this year. I also sent a handwritten note of “thank you for your generosity” to each of the vendors who donated raffle items and food along with a group picture. Without the volunteers and donations, these events wouldn’t happen.

After securing and coordinating the new site, came the call to be a regional logistics coordinator. Could I say no? Absolutely not! It has been my pleasure to assist anyone that asks, and so far, it seems the current site leaders have their events dialed in which makes it easy for me! I Have met a couple of the other site leaders at the tree climbing competitions. It’s always nice to put a face to the name! Thank you Jake Kite (Idaho State Veterans Cemetery) for coordinating the fabulous Boise TCC and to Charles Lystrup (Roseburg National Cemetery) an excellent climbing competitor.

Susie’s passion, professionalism, and personal connection to the cause help create a site experience that is both meaningful and inspiring. We’re honored to have her as part of our logistics leadership in 2025.

Stay tuned for more stories from our incredible logistics coordinators.