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.

Every year, Wreaths Across America chooses recipients for the Remember, Honor, Teach and Learn awards from among numerous qualified nominations. The James Prout Spirit of Giving award is determined by the transportation sector of Wreaths Across America. It is given semi-annually to a deserving professional truck driver, transportation company or organization that has supported charitable causes in a way that will affect future generations. The James Prout Spirit of Giving Award is named in memory of James Prout, owner of Blue Bird Ranch Trucking of Jonesboro, Maine. Prout was the first person to volunteer to haul wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery when the program was in its infancy.

This year, the ninth recipient of the James Prout Spirit of Giving Award is Load One Transportation and Logistics, LLC. “It’s humbling,” expressed John Elliott, Executive Chairman of Load One. “I’ve had the honor to go into Arlington on some of the trucks, and it impacts you. We’ve done this every year, not for accolades and awards, but to give back, and it’s been very rewarding watching the charity grow. I’m ex-military, so it’s extra special to me.” John served in the U.S. Army and the Army Reserves for twelve years. He’s the third generation in his family to be involved in the trucking industry, and he originally got involved with Wreaths Across America through the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), an industry organization he then went on to serve as its Chairman. “I remember going into Arlington one year with one of our trucks when they let the families come in the day before Wreath Day, and it was while Afghanistan was active. You saw the sacrifice. When you see a wife and young children lying against a headstone crying, and the ground is still fresh, that’s when you see what the sacrifice is in that moment, and you understand the impact. A lot of us served and gave, but some gave all. I remember I had to walk around to the other side of the truck to regain my composure.”

Nick Miller is the VP of Capacity for Load One, and while he has not served, his Uncle, a truck driver, did serve in Vietnam and ultimately succumbed to health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange. “You know, we win competitions and awards because we want to be the best. Wreaths Across America is one of the best causes we work with every year, and we don’t do it for the awards. We do it because it’s the right thing to do to show respect for the people who have served. If you have any questions as to whether or not you should get involved with this effort, just go to a cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony. It will change your mindset within minutes.”

Load One has helped move the mission since 2010 in ways that best illustrate how the company generally operates in the trucking industry landscape. “Load One has been an incredible partner in helping us fulfill our mission. When other companies or owner-operators can’t take a load, they step up, often at the last minute, to ensure every wreath is delivered,” said Courtney George, WAA Director of Transportation & Industry Relations. “They generously block out their broker fees, so we receive services at a discount, and they go the extra mile to make sure every ceremonial wreath is included in the Escort to Arlington. Last year alone, Load One took on five loads, an impressive commitment, and their dedication makes a real difference,” added George.

“We’re not a normal trucking company,” John explained. “We’re like the ambulance of the industry. We’re the ones you call when you say, ‘Oh crap!’ It may be a load of auto parts that could shut down the assembly line, or as simple as an envelope with a computer chip in it for a robotics machine. We’ve moved time-critical pharmaceuticals and items like baby formula. We have six hundred trucks in our fleet, but we are primarily an expedited carrier, so most of our trucks are sprinter vans and straight trucks, and only 25% are tractor-trailers. During the annual wreath escort, we may break away to deliver ceremonial wreaths for the next event stop and then rejoin the convoy. We’re very specialized in what we do, and a little more nimble than the tractor-trailers. We zig-zag all over the place while the other trucks just go straight.”

Thank you, John Elliot, Nick Miller, and the entire team at Load One for your continued commitment to our veterans through your support of the Wreaths Across America mission. Congratulations on being selected to receive this year’s James Prout Spirit of Giving award.

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 John and Nick 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 on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM CT as part of RadioNemo’s Road Gang Radio, streaming exclusively at RadioNemo.com — or stream on-demand anytime on your favorite podcast and streaming platforms. Just search “RadioNemo.”

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com