Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents D.M. Bowman, Inc


Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without the transportation industry, the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach would be nearly impossible. Veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, ships, and livestock trailers, but trucks and their professional drivers transport the lion’s share of America’s respect. In 2021, to be specific, 525 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 390 different carriers.

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, that unity makes it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest here at home and overseas. With over 3,136 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are immense.

Many of these drivers are veterans and say the truckload of fresh, balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America highlights their steadfast commitment in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

Brian Hall was raised on a farm in central Iowa. That’s where his introduction to trucks began, but he knew he didn’t want to stay on the farm. Instead, Brian attended Iowa State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Transportation Logistics. He started with Warner Enterprises in the management training program. After ten successful years there, he joined D.M. Bowman as VP of Sales and Business Development. Today, fifteen years later, Brian is the Chief Executive Officer for D.M. Bowman, Inc. out of Williamsport, Maryland and he loves being a part of the family-run business. “Mr. Bowman’s first truck was purchased in 1959. His philosophy was conservative: he’d buy one truck, pay for it, buy two, pay for those, and then buy four. He started hauling brick and lumber, and today, D.M. Bowman Inc. is a very diverse organization. We have dry vans, flatbeds, dry bulk pneumatic tankers, and about three million square feet of warehouse space in trucking. Mr. Bowman’s son, Todd Bowman, runs Bowman Sales and Equipment on the leasing side of our business, the second largest in the country, with fifty-five thousand rental trailers. Mr. Bowman also saw the need to have a place for drivers to stay during orientation, so he purchased a hotel. We now have four hotels, two restaurants, and business parks. We know it's a very cyclical business, and in a recession, the trucking industry usually leads the country in and out of recession. Our financial stability through diversification and not carrying much debt help us weather any recession that we encounter to assure that we never have to lay off or have an employee worry about a paycheck.”

A lot of those employees are veterans. “Veterans have been some of our best hires throughout the company,” Brian shares. “Drivers, mechanics, office, you name it. They’re great employees; dedicated, hard-working, loyal. When we found out about the Wreaths Across America mission about twelve years ago, we wanted to help contribute. In addition to hauling wreaths, we gather up a group of employees to help with the wreath-laying ceremony, primarily at Arlington National Cemetery. Still, we’ve participated at other cemeteries as well. We see the impact it has on our drivers like Terry.”

Terry Carkeek joined the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school and got out in 1982. Transitioning out of the military, he worked at several places but decided to “go back in.” Terry was activated during Operation Desert Storm and left the military again in 1992. “I went to work for Pepsi in the warehouse, but we had to drive trucks, and I just fell in love with driving,” Terry shares his entry into the trucking sector. “I got my license while working as a yard jockey for FedEx, and I’m really glad I did it. I’m enjoying my situation and occupation right now.”

Terry had the honor of hauling America’s respect in the form of veterans’ wreaths for D.M. Bowman, Inc. “It was an honor for me to do so. It couldn’t have gone any better for me. I went up to Maine, picking up the wreaths and meeting all the other drivers, some veterans, some not, but it didn’t matter because it was all for the cause. I’d never been to Maine before and had heard it was a beautiful state, and it was. The people were all so kind. I convoyed out of there with about twelve other trucks, and people were coming out with flags and waving to us. It was amazing. I’ve been to Arlington several times, but this was a completely different situation, which blew me away.”

D.M. Bowman is passionate about hiring military veterans and supporting veterans’ causes like Wreaths Across America and Platoon 22.

Thank you, Brian, Terry, and the D.M. Bowman team, for supporting the mission to remember, honor, and teach. You can hear Brian and Terry’s full interview on Trucking Tributes heard exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio every Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM (Eastern).