In November and December, one of the busiest periods of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings drivers together in an effort of unparalleled unity. With a positive, “can-do” work ethic, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2024, with over 4,909 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics were immense.

Many of these drivers are military veterans and say the truckload of fresh balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America shares their stories in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

It’s a family thing. Both Rob Anderson and Tom Sturtevant, Co-Owners of RT Relocation in Chesire, Connecticut were exposed to the trucking industry as young boys. Rob’s older brother Muir introduced him to the business. “From the time I was twelve years old, while everyone else was enjoying vacations and time off from school I was working with my brother, who did it right out of high school,” Rob explained. “The nice part about it is I was young, and I had been across the country a couple of times while I was still in school. I went to every state in the United States except for Alaska and I’ve been to Canada. It’s been an interesting adventure so far.”

Rob stayed with his brother and worked for him for about fifteen years until he felt he was ready to venture out on his own. He bought one truck and recruited other drivers as well. In essence he had started a “company inside another company” and in 2010 Rob said he was ready to take it to the next level and started his own company under a different name. It became RT Relocation after he was joined by life-long friend Tom Sturtevant. “We’re both dedicated individuals. He’s a hard worker and grew up in the industry like I did so it wasn’t a hard choice to make. It’s been fun growing the business with him.”

Tom and a few other drivers were the first to haul veterans’ wreaths as members of the honor fleet. “Being in the military, Tom wanted to do this for a long time as soon as he could as a way to give back,” Rob shared. “My father was also in the military and was a Sergeant in Korea. I didn’t hear many stories from my father, but I heard a lot from Tom about what it was like. And at the driver’s lounge drivers shared a lot of military time stories with each other. A funny one I heard about was about Tom actually running over a latrine with a tank. He’ll probably kill me for telling that one but he worked on tanks and took one out for a test run, took a wrong turn and ran over the latrine. It was not a good couple of weeks for him from what he told me.”

Rob explained the year he transported wreaths it was a down and back sort of experience but last year, Tom had more time built in and was able to take the tour and see the wreath-making factory and other elements of the mission. Tom’s nephews, Trace and AJ were able to come along for the ride too!

RT Relocation drivers deliver America’s respect to participating locations in and around Connecticut. “The amount of wreaths is impressive and the organization gets so many volunteers to help. Everywhere we deliver there are so many patriotic people who show up to help. My favorite moment is to pull up and see these people with their America flags out, their red, white, and blue hats and shirts on and they’re there to show their support for military families. We’re all so grateful for Wreaths Across America making it happen.”

Rob and Tom service a lot of military families with their relocation company. “We make them our VIP’s every time we show up at their houses,” Rob explained. “The sacrifices that they make on a daily basis couldn’t be understod unless you’re in the military and have had to deal with that.”

Thank you, Rob and Tom for taking such good care of our military families and  for your dedication to the mission to remember, honor and teach.

If you’d like to join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, you can get started with a click right here!

You can hear more with Rob on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio and Wednesday at 8:30 AM EST as part of RadioNemo on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.”

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com