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 official! Wreaths Across America has kicked off the 2025 wreath season! To date, there are well over twenty loads this year that need to be transported in time for National Wreaths Across America Day, this year on Saturday, December 13. WAA needs carriers and professional drivers to join the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

As the program continues to grow, with over 5,200 participating locations nationwide this year there are plenty of lanes available to match carriers’ needs. “I feel like I say it every year, but we need trucks,” exclaimed Courtney George, Director of Transportation and Industry Relations. “Having more open loads is one of the best problems to have. Some of our open loads require pickup in Maine at our headquarters, but I’ve got some out of Greensboro, some out of Phoenix, and some out of Mississippi. This year, we’ve got nine cross-docks, so if you can’t make it to Maine, that’s not a big deal. If you’re a carrier or an owner-operator, there is a place for you to help.”

Where there’s a will to participate, there’s a way, and the transportation sector of Wreaths Across America is almost magical in its ability to create connections. “Last year, we even had a fleet of motorcyclists with their trailers who got involved and made an impact. They may not know where they’re going until I load them, but they were just great. As long as we know the dimensions, we can load that, so don’t walk away without talking to me,  even if you don’t have a 53-foot van. It takes that type of village to get this mission done every year.”

If December 12^th is too late in the season for you to haul, you can help earlier because the cross- docks need to receive their veterans’ wreaths for distribution. With participating ceremonies taking place in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Samoa, and other destinations abroad, handmade balsam fir veterans’ wreaths travel by planes, trains, and ocean-going tankers to honor U.S. fallen veterans, but all of them start out on trucks.

“Your involvement has an incredible impact on families, and you get to hear some of their stories firsthand. Many of the carriers that get involved with us have multiple stops because so many patriotic Americans are stepping up to start participating locations in their communities. It’s a powerful mission to remember, honor, and teach, and our drivers are making life-long friends with other volunteers across the country. The stories our drivers share with us of the love and respect they receive give you goosebumps. You are celebrated and honored like you’ve never been celebrated. You’re helping families and communities heal, and you’re bringing them peace. I think it was Jimmy Shaw who said, This is the most important load you will haul.”

It all begins with an email from you to initiate the onboarding process as a member of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet. Courtney is more than happy to talk with your boss about you participating but she needs to know who that it so the discussion can begin. Don’t wait because the season has begun, and in just a few short weeks the tipping process begins in Maine.

Tipping is the brush harvesting process whereby the tips of the balsam fir tree, and some of the limbs from its side, are clipped and harvested. That fresh greenery is handmade into the veteran’s remembrance wreath that is placed on the headstones of our fallen U.S. service members. If you pick up your load in Maine, you’ll even be shown how to make your own wreath, which you can take with you. Also, to complete your loading process at the docks, a fresh wreath is attached to your tractor’s grill. “That’s become a symbol recognized nationwide to the load that you’re carrying,” Courtney shared. “A symbol to all that the work that you’re doing is so incredible.” Many professional drivers have shared with us how they’ve taken that wreath from their truck and handed it to a family member who didn’t receive one for their loved one’s headstone because the sponsored wreaths had run out before reaching their stone. It’s an exceptional gesture by our Honor Fleet members, not soon to be forgotten.

Thank you, Courtney, for your commitment to our trucking industry and veterans through 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 Courtney on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 10:00 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 at RadioNemo.com , iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Facebook. You can also catch all of RadioNemo's content on-demand on your favorite podcasting platform.

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com