Wheeling Wreaths Across America

By Reagan Payne

Plenty of trucking companies tout their veteran-friendly workplaces and accomplishments. A true testament to veteran dedication is a company’s involvement with Wreaths Across America.

Wreaths Across America (WAA) coordinates wreath­-laying ceremonies for fallen soldiers at more than 2,100 burial locations throughout December across the United States, at sea, and abroad. This would not be possible without the transportation industry; professional drivers transport the greatest share of fresh, balsam fir wreaths.

Some companies simply sponsor, sending money their way directly to the non-profit organization or to their choice of thousands of school, scout, civic and religious groups across the country. Other companies are hands-on, sending driver ambassadors to deliver these wreaths and sometimes participate in the laying of them; many of these are veterans themselves.

This event would not be possible without these carrier and driver partners. The cost to transport 2 million wreaths alone would be too high for the non-profit organization to cover alone.

“Without the trucking community and their generous donations of time and services, our mission simply would not be possible,” Rob Worcester explained. Worcester is the son of the founder of Wreaths Across America and helps coordinate transportation and logistics for the organization.

Company Involvement

Courtney George, Manager of Driver Experience at HUB Group shared her personal Wreaths Across America experience with HireMaster:

“It was 2008 and I was in Richmond for work, weather was terrible. I had a driver and some time to kill, so I rode in with him. It was early enough that we saw guys in motorized wheelchairs sliding in ice and snow trying to get a wreath to their buddy’s grave,” George recalled. “I also saw a lady with her kids in a wagon. One of them was dressed up in the uniform for whatever outfit their dad had been that had passed away in the war. The driver and I were both sobbing a little bit. I got more out of this than they did.”

Ever since, George has advocated for her employers to support the organization. She was incredibly moved by the speeches made by government officials and honored veterans at these events.

There are less than 100 Medal of Honor recipients alive today and drivers are able to have intimate, personal conversations with one at this event.

“You see a driver and he starts talking to somebody, and he’s just having a normal conversation,” George said. “And I’m like, ‘You realize that this is the governor, you know, of the state of New York (Andrew Cuomo) or that is Chris Cuomo (his brother) who’s on CNN every day.

“Last year, you were talking to Gary Beikirch, one of the Medal of Honor recipients. Getting to listen to Gary speak was amazing and all the drivers were blown away.”

Often when traveling to these events, drivers will carry Gold Star family members along with them for the ride. If these drivers were not already involved, this fellowship and sharing of personal stories helps them understand what is truly happening at these events. HUB Group only sends one representative to this event, but George said that they will send more drivers in the coming years.

Some larger companies are able to donate not only man-power but monetary support. Walmart supports Wreaths Across America by giving and transporting wreaths to national cemeteries via a network of its own truck drivers. The company’s cash and other contributions totaled $750,000 last year. 

“It’s so cool that I’m part of a company that cares about this,” Yuma Haidara, a Walmart driver from New Hampshire who served in the U.S. Navy from 2007 to 2014. “I have a lot of people I know that are buried in these national cemeteries, and I don’t want them forgotten.”

Walmart drivers like Rob Balfour put their name into a drawing to select drivers to transport wreaths. Finally, Balfour was selected and thrilled to support this worthy cause. Balfour’s father served on an aircraft carrier after the Vietnam war and his son-in-law currently serves in the Navy.

“So many times, the veterans who have served this country have been forgotten,” he said. “Placing the wreaths brings remembrance to those who served our country and made great sacrifices. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Women in Trucking Association (WIT) also sends a driver ambassador for the cause. Kellylynn McLaughlin will deliver a load of wreaths from Maine to Houston. She will be joined by two veterans on the journey: Nichole Garcia and Janice Neitz.

Garcia served in the Army for seven years as a medic. Neitz served in the Army from 1994-2002; she primarily drove trucks and operated heavy equipment.

“I am thrilled to ride with Kellylynn on part of her journey,” said Neitz. “I feel extremely honored to play a role in getting wreaths to our fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The following are HireMaster companies that support Wreaths Across America: American Central Transport, Ashley Distribution, Bay & Bay Transportation, Bennett Motor Express, Big G Express, Boyd Bros Transportation, Brown Trucking, CalArk International Inc., Cargo Transporters Inc., Carter Express, Central Trucking Inc., CFI, Covenant Transport Inc., E.W. Wylie, Earl L. Henderson Trucking Company, Epes Transport System, Freymiller, Gully Transportation, Hill Bros, Hirschbach Motor Lines, Hub Group Trucking, J & M Tank Lines Inc., J.B. Hunt, National Carriers, Paper Transport Inc., Riverside Transport, Sherwin Williams, Smith Transport Inc., Swift Transportation, Transport America, Tribe Express, U.S. Xpress, Walmart.

Reagan Payne is a staff writer for Wright Media. She can be reached at rpayne@wrightmediacorp.com