Trucking Industry Transports Record Number of Fresh Wreaths to Veterans Cemeteries in Support of “Wreaths Across America Day”
More than 600,000 wreaths will be laid December 15 on the graves of the fallen
Alexandria, Virginia:
The trucking industry has always maintained a close connection with the U.S. armed forces, as many of our best drivers and personnel hail from military backgrounds. So it’s no surprise that trucking companies have been enthusiastic about donating their manpower and equipment to Wreaths Across America, an organization that coordinates veteran services and recognition through a variety of programs, and provides schools with teaching aides for projects throughout the year.
This week, 65 trucking companies are hauling 126 loads of fresh remembrance wreaths (about 610,000 in all) to be laid on graves at more than 800 veterans’ cemeteries across the nation. Each cemetery will conduct its own special events and wreath-laying ceremonies on Saturday, December 15, 2012, as part of “Wreaths Across America Day,” held annually each December.
Of the many wreaths traveling the country, 34 truckloads (representing about 110,000 wreaths – 20,000 more than last year), are headed to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of veterans. The convoy of tractor trailers hauling these wreaths – called the “Escort to Arlington” – began December 9 in Harrington, Maine, and has made its way slowly down the East Coast, escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders. It has stopped at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes, and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor, and teach. When it arrives in Arlington, a rally will be held Friday night for the drivers and volunteer personnel coordinating the event. It will feature Lindsay Lawler, official spokesperson of Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA’s) Highway Angel program. Lawler will also sing “Amazing Grace” at Saturday morning’s Opening Ceremonies prior to the wreath-laying.
According to Chris Burruss, president of TCA, trucking industry involvement in the “Wreaths Across America Day” initiative has grown steadily over the years, from just a few carriers participating on their own to this year’s sizable fleet, requiring an all-new system for coordinating logistics managed by the association. As needs increased, TCA went to its membership for help, and the members responded with unprecedented enthusiasm.
“This project is a natural fit for TCA members and the trucking industry in general, since so many veterans choose to make their careers in trucking after serving in the military,” said Burruss, who happens to be a Marine Corps veteran. “All of us feel it is our honor and privilege to be able to show our respect by hauling the wreaths for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
While many trucking companies donated equipment and drivers for the project (see the complete list at www.truckload.org/2012-Volunteer-Trucking-Companies), Internet Truckstop provided special dispatching software to TCA. Prime inc. also played a role by offering the services of one of its load planning experts.
“TCA had a big learning curve when it came to logistics management. It’s something Prime does on an everyday basis. So utilizing our expertise seemed only logical. Working together, we ensured the most efficient use of our volunteers’ time and equipment so that ‘Wreaths Across America Day’ could take place successfully,” said Robert Low, TCA’s chairman and the president and founder of Prime, Inc. “It’s the least we could do to honor the sacrifices our veterans have made.”
The tradition of laying wreaths at Arlington began in 1992 when the owner of Worcester Wreath Co. found a surplus of leftover wreaths available near the end of the holiday season. With the help of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed in one of the older sections of the cemetery. In 2005, a photo of snow-covered gravestones adorned with wreaths gained national attention, and the subsequent outpouring of requests led to the creation of the nonprofit organization now called Wreaths Across America.