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.
Elisabeth Barna has worked thirty-four years in the trucking industry for various support associations like the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the American Trucking Associations (ATA). She’s also been a friend of Wreaths Across since its inception. Her father served in the U.S. Army. “I think it was the third year Morrill Worcester and his family had been taking Wreaths to Arlington. It wasn’t even called Wreaths Across America back then,” Elisabeth shared.“Barry Pottle with Pottles Transportation called to request an ATA truck to help Arlington, and then next year, Barry said, ‘We need more.’ Every year since then, I’ve been involved with Wreaths.” It was with Elisabeth’s hard work and dedication to the mission that the first “Virtual Convoy” was created and launched in 2023. With the participation of 36 state trucking associations in its inaugural year, the 2023 virtual convoy facilitated the sponsorship of 7,129 veterans’ wreaths – nearly two full trailer loads – for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day. WAA looks forward to the growth of the state association program in 2024 and will continue to raise awareness and support the mission across the states.
This year, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, Wreaths Across America announced the relaunch of its virtual convoy program, “Truckloads of Remembrance,” for 2024. WAA aims to expand this impactful initiative – renamed “Truckload of Remembrance” – and invites all national transportation associations and other industry nonprofits to join in support of honoring servicemembers with sponsored veterans’ wreaths for placement by volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Through Truckloads of Remembrance, WAA seeks to fill a virtual tractor-trailer load of sponsored veterans’ wreaths from each of the 50 states. Hometown heroes from every state are buried at Arlington, with more than 260,000 eligible markers for veterans’ wreaths to be placed – this is more than 260,000 servicemembers whose names will be said out loud and remembered as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
Thank you, Elisabeth, for your genuine passion for the mission to remember, honor, and teach and your continued efforts to ensure no one is forgotten.
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 Elisabeth on Trucking Tributes, 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 The Dave Nemo Show on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking Radio.
Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com.
Sponsor a wreath at the RadioNemo Wreaths Across America Page.