Reflecting on Sacrifice, Appreciating Our Freedom—This Memorial Day and Every Day

Memorial Day Ceremony

This Memorial Day, communities across the nation will be honoring veterans that have made the ultimate sacrifice. From heartfelt ceremonies to flags placed with care at local memorials, it’s a powerful reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the people who made them possible. 

With the upcoming holiday weekend, we would like to highlight an annual event hosted by the Campbell County Rockpile Museum, the Memorial Day Mount Pisgah Cemetery Walk. Guided by a museum volunteer, participants will walk through the cemetery and learn the stories of twelve local veterans who died in service to our nation.

Full details for this event can be found at Calendar • Memorial Day Mount Pisgah  Cemetery Walk

It's special holidays like Memorial Day that remind us how important it is to support veterans not only in words, but in action—especially when it comes to helping them achieve homeownership. If you or someone you know has served, there are special financing options designed to make buying a home more accessible, including VA loans with no down payment and competitive interest rates. The video below shares helpful insights about VA loans and why they can be a great option for current or former service members.

As we take time this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, our community comes together in gratitude—from local ceremonies and flag displays to moments of quiet reflection across Northeast Wyoming. We’re also reminded of the veterans still with us, many of whom dream of owning a home right here in our beautiful region. If you’re a veteran or active service member, there are resources available to help make that dream a reality—including VA loans with no down payment, lower interest rates, and more flexible credit requirements. Our office is proud to assist those who have served, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. This Memorial Day, we remember the fallen, support the living, and remain grateful for the freedoms we all enjoy.

Student Loan Debt and Its Impact on Home Buying

 Graduation season is upon us! It’s an exciting milestone for students and their families—a moment that celebrates years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Whether it’s a high school diploma, college degree, or technical certification, this achievement marks the start of a new chapter filled with opportunity. But for many recent graduates, that next step also comes with a heavy financial burden: student loan debt.

While education is often viewed as an investment in the future, the reality is that loan repayments can significantly impact other life goals—especially homeownership. In this blog, we’ll look at some statistics around student loan debt and how it affects the ability to buy a home.

According to a recent article by MortgageResearch.com, 2025 college graduates face some obstacles when it comes to buying a home. High home prices, entry-level salaries that haven’t kept pace with the cost of living, and higher balances of student loan debt, are all delaying the dream of homeownership. Repayment of student loan debt affects how much a person with a new entry-level salary can save a month for the typical 10% down payment for a home purchase. Those who did not have to take out student loans will obviously be able to save more money towards a down payment and therefore reach that amount sooner. 

Not all things are created equal though—and the state where new college graduates begin their careers can play a role in how soon they’re able to purchase their first home. A quick breakdown for our area and the corresponding years to buy information is as follows (see the link above for the full state-by-state chart): 

• Wyoming - 9.5 yrs

• South Dakota- 8.6 yrs

• North Dakota- 6.2 yrs

• Colorado- 10.7 yrs

• Montana- 12.3 yrs

**This information is based on average student loan debt balances and does not include private student loan data.

For many recent college graduates, buying a first home can feel just out of reach—especially with the added burden of student loan repayment. However, there are some loan options available that offer low or even zero down payment requirements. Additionally, gifted funds from family or others can often be used toward a down payment, but it’s important to understand the proper way to document and structure these gifts to avoid any potential financial penalties. Doing a little homework upfront can help smooth the path to homeownership

Whether you graduated from a trade school or a traditional college, you've done more than earn a certificate/diploma—you’ve built the foundation for an amazing future. Here's to chasing goals and new adventures ahead. Congrats, 2025 grads! 

¹ Source: Mortgage Research Center. "How College Graduates' Student Debt Affects Their Homebuying Timeline." MortgageResearch.com, https://www.mortgageresearch.com/articles/college-graduates-homebuying-timeline/

Dig In! Gardening & Planting Resources for Campbell County, Wyoming

Spring in Northeast Wyoming means longer days, sunshine teasing us out of our winter hibernation, and the itch to get our hands in the dirt! Campbell County offers a unique set of challenges and opportunities when it comes to growing things—and we’ve rounded up the best local resources to help you succeed.

🏔️ Know Your Zone

First things first: Gillette and the surrounding areas fall into USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b to 5a. That means we see cold winters and a short, sometimes unpredictable growing season. Choosing hardy perennials and frost-tolerant annuals is key to long-term success.

🌼 Local Favorites for Planting

Here are a few plants that tend to thrive in our area:

• Lilacs (hello, spring fragrance!)

• Daylilies & Peonies for color and low maintenance

• Native grasses like Little Bluestem or Buffalo Grass

• Cold-hardy veggies like carrots, lettuce, spinach, and potatoes

• Raised beds and greenhouses help extend your season and protect from wind

  
  

🧠 Gardening Resources

We've got some great resources to guide you along the way:

University of Wyoming Extension – Campbell County Office

Your go-to for science-backed advice on soil, composting, planting schedules, and even pest control. They also run Master Gardener programs and workshops throughout the year.

📍 412 S. Gillette Ave🔗 https://wyoextension.org/campbellcounty/

Garden for Wildlife – Online

Garden for Wildlife®, a program by the National Wildlife Federation, helps people create gardens that support local ecosystems by focusing on native plants. The goal is to make it easy for anyone—whether you have a backyard, or balcony—to support birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

🔗 https://gardenforwildlife.com/

👩‍🌾 Let’s Grow Together! In Campbell County, using native plants in your garden helps strengthen the soil, attracts pollinators, and naturally adapts to our region’s wind, drought, and temperature swings. Whether you're looking to welcome wildlife or keep certain critters at bay, choosing plants native to our high plains landscape is a smart, sustainable choice.