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 4,909 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics were 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.

After serving in the United States military, Chris Sonner spent over twenty years in the sales profession before deciding to go for his CDL during an economic slowdown. “As long as you have a safe driving record, you’ll never have to look for another job again,” Chris shared. “So far so good!” He’s been driving professionally for over sixteen years, now representing Baylor Trucking.

Chris first served in the Army National Guard for three years as a cavalry scout, but felt something different would be in order. “I really decided that I didn’t want to sleep in an armored personal vehicle for thirty days at a time, so I went on active-duty with the Air Force and spent my time there in a climate-controlled computer room. The travel was incredible. I spent my first two years in England. In England, I worked in the base communications and data processing center. My last four were spent in Nebraska, and I was attached to Space Command before there was a Space Force. We flew the weather satellites for the military.”

It was his first December with Baylor that Chris became familiar with the Wreaths Across America mission. “When they asked me to do the Wreaths Across America run, I wasn’t going to say no to that,” Chris exclaimed. “It’s just such an honor to do it.” The first few years of participating, Chris was doing a normal wreath pick up but was then asked to participate in the Annual Wreath Escort to Arlington. “That experience just hit it out of the park for me. The way I like to explain going to Columbia Falls to where the driver’s check-in is, it’s the only place in this country where you can get a hundred truck drivers all together at the same time and not one of them is bitchin’ about something,” he chuckled. “The first year when I went to the hangars to load up, the guys there said, ‘Congratulations! You’ve got the most stops this year!’ I had like sixteen or seventeen stops to make on that run.” As the Wreaths Across America mission grows each year adding more and more participating locations many drivers will deliver wreaths to multiple locations, and they enjoy doing that as they meet so many different volunteers involved with the mission. Chris said he loved the driver’s lounge and the multiple stops in different states. “It was phenomenal doing that, and oh my gosh, you’re well fed along the way! I must have ended up with a half-dozen fruit baskets. I had to be careful because my body was rejecting all the healthy stuff the volunteers were giving me,” Chris laughed. “The convoy had to have been my favorite part with all the police escorts and such. Chris agreed that for a professional driver, it might be the only time you legitimately get excited and happy to see all the flashing blue lights surrounding the vehicles. “I’m telling you, when those state trooper sweeps came up on your left and right going down the highway that’s shut down just for you, that was something else. Everyone has to learn how to drive that Saturday after the convoy because the lights and stop signs aren’t being held for you anymore.”

Chris went on to share that the best part of the entire Wreaths Across America experience for him was seeing the gratitude of the Gold Star families.

Thank you, Chris and Baylor Trucking, for your tireless commitment to our veterans through 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 Chris 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 on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM CT as part of RadioNemo’s Road Gang Radio, streaming exclusively at RadioNemo.com — or stream on-demand anytime on your favorite podcast and streaming platforms. Just search “RadioNemo.”

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com