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.

Several years ago, Wreaths Across America considered ways to publicly acknowledge, and express gratitude to, the hundreds of carrier companies and professional drivers who have become valued members of the Wreaths Across America honor fleet. That’s when one of the members of the organization’s communications team suggested a “tribute” that could be used as a cross-platform media profile.

In 2017, Susan Patten created and produced the first Trucking Tributes feature to do just that. A former broadcast journalist before joining Wreaths Across America full-time, Susan hosted what originally began as a short bi-weekly vignette to air on Wreaths Radio during its early stages of development. The Trucking Tributes feature eventually evolved into a weekly, half-hour talk-show-style interview and an accompanying written blog post for the website, featuring pictures the companies and drivers shared from their experiences hauling America’s respect. The feature is aired on “Truckin’ Tuesdays” and is also shared by Radio Nemo.

Today, the Trucking Tributes feature is still going strong. “I have interviewed hundreds of drivers and trucking industry representatives over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed everyone,” Susan shared. “As unique as they all are, they share a common thread, and it’s a love for our country and the mission to remember, honor, and teach. It’s been an honor to share their stories of service.”

One of the first professional drivers she interviewed was Don Queeney, owner of Hampton Roads Moving and Storage out of Virginia. Don would go on to become the Transportation Director for Wreaths, prior to Courtney George, who holds that title today. Don is still an avid volunteer for Wreaths Across America, helping in the transportation division, and he’s a co-location coordinator for wreath-laying ceremonies in Damariscotta, Maine.

Don’s newest endeavor with the organization is to become one of the hosts for the Trucking Tributes features, along with Elisabeth Barna, another familiar pillar of the trucking industry, as Susan prepares for retirement from Wreaths Across America on December 16, 2025. “I know Elisabeth and I have a beautiful pair of shoes to fill, and I really look forward to doing this show, and taking the legacy that Susan started and keep moving forward in whatever direction we go.”

Thank you, Don and Elisabeth, for your commitment to Trucking Tributes and 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 Susan and Don 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