Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents WWC, Inc
“It’s truly amazing really the sacrifices they choose for our freedoms, so this is nice to pay that back. This is my fifth year being involved."
Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents WWC, Inc
Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without them, 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 2023, to be specific, 717 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 332 different carriers and partners.
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 4,200 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.
The Executive Director for Wreaths Across America, Karen Worcester, frequently reminds us lessons of patriotism and love of country begin at home with the family, then spread to community and beyond. It’s no wonder that the trucking industry, steeped in family tradition, would become the backbone of the mission to remember, honor, and teach. In fact, it was James Prout, owner of Bluebird Ranch Trucking who donated the first truck destined for Arlington National Cemetery filled with veterans’ wreaths and inspires the Wreaths Across America’s annual Spirit of Giving Award.
About six years ago, another family-based trucking company in Maine stepped up. “I ran into Morrill at a restaurant,” Will Coffin with WWC, Inc out of Jonesport, Maine explained how it started for them. “I said I wanted to get involved and he said, ‘that would be good.’”
Will and his brother Wade got involved in the trucking industry, continuing their family’s trucking tradition. “I guess it’s in our blood,” Will shared. “My father’s had trucks for longer than I’ve been alive, and we got into it and kept going. About fourteen years ago my father decided he wanted to slow down so my brother and I bought out two-thirds of him and kept on going and here we are.” Out of seven trucks available, six are one the road, twenty trailers-flatbed haul compost material around New England.
What makes WWC’s donation so remarkable is they dedicate their entire fleet of drivers. “The company we work for twelve months out of the year, Coast of Maine Organic Products, knows that week before wreath-laying day, by Wednesday we’re done, and we’ll be back on Monday.I look at it like this is our service. The last generation of our family who served in the military would be our grandparents. I figure this is our service.”
JoAnne Gallant, known to most as Jody, used to drive for Will’s father and returned to the company six years ago. She has an older brother who’s retired from the U.S. Navy. “It’s truly amazing really the sacrifices they choose for our freedoms, so this is nice to pay that back. This is my fifth year being involved and I usually go to Long Island National Cemetery. I’ve been to Agawam, Massachusetts cemetery once. It’s just amazing you know, the goosebumps you get giving to the community like that. It’s quite a respectful honor to roll into their cemeteries with the wreaths.”
Will explains the connections made during their involvement. “It's just like family when you get there [Long Island National]. Rob and Sarah are there and the coordinators. We stay in touch with each other throughout the year.” In addition to Long Island National, WWC has hauled America’s respect to Arlington National Cemetery as well. “Courtney adds another layer of fun and when she calls and says she needs something, we just do it. You people at Wreaths Across America give the truckers credit, and yes, we deserve some credit, but the whole thing is amazing to me. The full circle of what takes place here is incredible.”
Thank you, Will, Jody, and the entire WWC, Inc. team for supporting 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 Will and Jody 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 archives on SoundCloud.com
Contact
Message Sent
Thank you so much for contacting us! Our team will respond within 24 hours.
Invite
Share
Invite email sent.
Also, one of the most powerful ways that you can help is to share that you've volunteered to help on Wreaths Across America Day on social media. Please click on the social media links of your choice below.
Registration Complete
Your registration information was successfully submitted. To help us recruit more volunteers, please click one of the buttons below to share information on volunteering on social media.
Loading...
Wreath Sponsorship
Hiring Our Heroes (CORP001) |48172|
Did you know that Wreaths Across America now offers recurring sponsorships? You can select the occurrence and cancel or pause anytime! Register now by completing this form! (https://tinyurl.com/n735zrbr)
What does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you are supporting a yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Your sponsorship will support the new and existing programs developed to share the mission. And, it will place a wreath to honor an American hero at one of more than 4,400 participating locations this year on National Wreaths Across America Day – a day set aside to lay gathers as Americans with the same goal.
We can’t do that without your support, though. Your sponsorship will ensure that a wreath is hand-crafted of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow here in Columbia Falls, Maine. It will then be sent to one of our participating locations, where a volunteer will place it on the marker of a hero. That volunteer will then “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten.
So, what does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to those who stepped up to serve.
*Please Note: Specific locations designated as "ceremonial-only" accept a limited number of sponsorships. Any additional sponsorships received beyond those used for the ceremony will be distributed to other locations.
