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 4,600 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are 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 and Sirius XM, Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR LANE(S)! The Transportation and Logistics division of Wreaths Across America says that’s the predominant message going into the countdown to National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday December 14, 2024. “Shoot me an email. It’s trucking at Wreaths Across America dot org,” explains Courtney George, Director of Transportation and Logistics. “If you send one over, we’ll get in touch with you. I’m normally pretty quick; less than a 24-hour turnaround time. I know how hard it is in the market right now, especially for owner/operators, so their donations to us mean a ton.”

For those of you reading about Wreaths Across America for the first time in this edition of Trucking Tributes, Courtney George is the current Director of Trucking and Industry Relations. She was recruited after serving many years in the trucking industry.

Sarah Worcester is a member of the founding family. “I’ve been there since the beginning, but this is my seventh year being involved directly after my husband, Rob Worcester, handed things over to me,” Sarah shared. “It’s my baby now.” Sarah and Courtney are both quick to point out however there’s an entire transportation and logistics team behind the operations that make the mission to remember, honor, and teach roll successful each year. “When we started,” Sarah reminisced, it was just a handful of carriers of doing it. Nothing was on spreadsheets. There were maybe fifty loads at best, and now we’re up to over 800 loads and we’re growing.” A huge percentage of the delivery of millions of the veterans’ wreaths is based on volunteered efforts and contributions from the trucking industry.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO MAINE to haul America’s respect, but we surely love it when you do! “We have eight cross docks across the country,” Sarah explained. “It opens another avenue for folks to get involved with us if they don’t have to come all the way to Maine to get the wreaths. They can pick up their load at one of our volunteer loading facilities or “cross docks” in California, three in Arizona, Washington State one in Mississippi, one in Missouri, and one in North Carolina.”

When a first-time driver does come to Maine to pick up veterans’ wreaths sponsored by American citizens, it’s an opportunity to educate them about the mission and its beginnings from a balsam fir tree. Professional drivers receive a warm and robust welcome in Maine! Drivers can grab a quick shower and participate in making a fresh wreath while learning of the symbolism behind each evergreen bouquet. While visiting a variety of monuments and special sites on the tip land, they can place a replica dog tag, made for free, in honor of a loved one who has served, or for themselves as part of the Remembrance Tree program. They can visit the National Wreaths Across America Museum and the Gold Star History and Hospitality House. They can eat three squares a day, provided by the Tyson Foods Cook Team and other generous donors, do laundry and play a round of pool, or just sit back and watch a little TV. Best of all they can park their rigs and leaving the driving to our staff and volunteers. Drivers who can linger for the departure of the Annual Wreath Escort to Arlington National Cemetery have the remarkable experience of joining the departing escort as it travels through the state of Maine.

Thank you, Sarah and Courtney and everyone in the transportation and logistics division of Wreaths Across America for all you do to keep the mission to remember, honor and teach rolling!

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 Sarah and Courtney 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 on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking Radio.

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com