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.

Retirement just didn’t fit well with Polly Trotter. This truck driver’s daughter spent much of her professional career designing Walmart stores, but her answer to bouts of boredom was the love of the transportation industry, and Bill Trotter just happened to be the vice president of driver recruiting for the Bennett Family of Companies. “I said, Okay, I’m coming in!” That was three years ago, and Polly is the special projects coordinator for Bennett. “This is the best company I’ve ever had the privilege of being part of,” she expressed. “They believe in faith, family and freedom and live it every day. You can’t imagine how amazing it is to walk in and see the company founder and CEO there. She works every day and I always very welcoming with a smile on her face, and that’s the difference at Bennett. You know you’re part of a true family there.”

The Bennett Family of Companies has been supporting the Wreaths Across America mission for over seven years, with Lee Gentry getting the ball rolling initially, and it’s grown every year. “I got the bug my very first wreath-laying ceremony,” Polly admits. “I couldn’t think of anything more I wanted to do than get to be a part of that team as well. That very first year I participate, I didn’t know what to expect. I think what got me was seeing all the active-duty personnel there giving such praise and respect to the fallen veterans. The Bennett Family of Companies honors three fallen soldiers laid to rest the current year. I had the pleasure of reaching out to those families to get their information so that I could coordinate with Lee for the ceremony. It just touches you on so many levels. This year will be my fourth wreath-laying ceremony. I’ll always cherish it as the sweetest day of the year for me.”

The Bennett Family of Companies has “adopted” the Andersonville National Cemetery in Georgia. Over 20,000 veterans are laid to rest there, and it takes a huge effort to make sure all their headstones are adorned with a veteran’s wreath on National Wreaths Across America Day, this year, Saturday, December 13, 2025. “We are so blessed to have so many wonderful volunteers at that cemetery. It’s covered so quickly. It seems like you’re standing there hugging someone at the headstone of their fallen loved one, and you turn around, and it’s covered and so beautiful with all those green wreaths with the red bows.”

Bennett is known for collecting donations selling gallons of homemade ice cream at some of the truck shows, but their biggest fundraiser coincides with the crowning of a national trucking champion during the Stars, Stripes and White Lines Truck Show held November 7^th and 8^th at the EchoPark Speedway (formerly the Atlanta Motor Speedway). “This national show is our baby now, and we work all year on this. I don’t consider it a duty. It’s a privilege.”

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the truck show, and there’s so much to see and do. One of the unique fundraising activities at the show involves a helicopter and golf balls. “This is one of my favorites at the show. Retired Lt. Colonel Fred Edwards will fly a Huey and land inside the track, and we’ll fill that helicopter with two thousand golf balls. You can buy a golf ball for one hundred dollars for a chance to win up to ten thousand dollars. Saturday afternoon, he will take that Huey up and drop two thousand golf balls on a target, and folks can win ten thousand, five thousand, on down.” All proceeds from this, and other activities at the show, benefit the Wreaths Across America effort at Andersonville National Cemetery.

Other events include auctions, truck laps, a big rig jeep and motorcycle show and music performances. One concert features the ever-popular professional driving musician Tony Justice, also a member of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet. “It’s two full days of fun and activities to honor our veterans. It’s something to see when Lt. Colonel Edwards flies that Huey and tips its wings while the Star-Spangled Banner plays.”

Of course, Stars, Stripes and White Lines will also crown the national champion after their custom-built truck is judged based on their appearance, design and craftsmanship.

Polly shared the Wreaths Across America mission Remember, Honor, and Teach fits in so well with the Bennett Family of Companies slogan of faith, family and freedom and employees are not only encouraged to get involved but rewarded for their efforts. “We’ve got an amazing team, and Bennett will select different employees to travel to some Wreaths events like the driver appreciation dinner in Maine. Last year, I was able to go to Long Island to take part in their events with Courtney George. That’s a big cemetery too, and there were a lot of headstones there that were not covered because they did not have enough donations, and that broke my heart. I can only imagine being the parent of a loved one who does not get a wreath.”

You’ll be able to visit the Wreaths Across America booth at the show which will be right next to the Huey. “It’s mind boggling to me that everyone doesn’t know what Wreaths Across America is, and they need to, because it’s a beautiful thing and so easy to participate.”

If you need even more incentive to attend the show this year, you could become a recipient of one of four golden stamps too from the Bennett Family of Companies.

Thank you, Polly, and the entire team at the Bennett Family of Companies, for your commitment to our 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 Polly, and find out what the golden stamps are, 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