For nearly 10 years, Jeff Polvado has volunteered with Saluting Branches, bringing together two important parts of his life: his service as an Army veteran and his career as an arborist.
Jeff was first introduced to Saluting Branches while working for Davey Resource Group in southern Ohio. What has kept him involved is the opportunity to put his expertise to work in support of fellow veterans. As he explains, “Being an Army veteran, Saluting Branches gives me a unique opportunity to give back to the veteran community using the skills and expertise I’ve developed throughout my career.” For Jeff, volunteering is also a way to continue living the Army value of Selfless Service while helping care for places that honor veterans and support their families.
That connection to both service and arboriculture is what makes the organization’s mission especially meaningful to him. Jeff says that, as “an Army veteran and arborist,” Saluting Branches allows him to honor fellow veterans while using the skills he enjoys most. He views the work as an extension of the Army values of Selfless Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Honor, helping maintain places that recognize and remember those who served.
Today, Jeff is co-leading the Day of Service at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, where he continues to give back alongside other volunteers who share a deep respect for the veteran community.
When asked what he would tell someone considering volunteering for the first time, Jeff doesn’t hesitate: “Do it. It’s a great opportunity to use your skills to give back, meet amazing people, and be part of something bigger than yourself.” He adds that the impact made in a single day is something volunteers can be proud of long after the work is done.
As both an Army veteran and an arborist, Jeff has found a unique way to give back through Saluting Branches. By caring for the trees and landscapes at veteran cemeteries and memorials, he’s able to honor fellow veterans while continuing a tradition of service that remains important to him today. We thank Jeff for sharing his time, expertise, and passion with Saluting Branches over the past decade and for the impact he continues to make in the veteran communities he serves.
