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.

When Dan Welker decided to drop out of high school at seventeen years old, his mother had plans for him. “I got home one day and there was a military recruiter in my living room,” Dan explained. “Mom said either you’re going to do something with your life in the military, or you’re going to be out of the house. I said to myself, Well, I might as well give this a shot. You know as a kid, you don’t always understand the gravity of what you’re doing sometimes. The recruiter explained this was an opportunity for me to grow myself, give me a little backbone and learn a skill. That’s the way I took it and back in 1984 I took the plunge and went into basic training. I was a machinist mate aboard the U.S.S. Seattle. We kept our fleet moving and resupplied fuel, food and ammunition to a lot of ships over the years.” As it turns out, Dan came from a military background. “My dad was a retired Command Sergeant Major and worked under Schwartzkopf prior to the Gulf War. We were Army brats, all born over in Germany. We’ve had someone in the military since the Revolutionary War. My cousin, Kevin Welker, was actually a Tomb Guard at Arlington from 1997 until 2001, so it’s going to be interesting to get down there this year.”

Dan was just informed that his transport of veterans’ wreaths as a member of the Honor Fleet in 2025 will take him to Arlington National Cemetery.

Dan’s career path wasn’t always as a professional truck driver. “I was actually in healthcare and decided I needed something else after a life transition,” Dan shared. “I had been taking care of my Mother. She had just passed, and I’d gone through a divorce, and a buddy of mine said, ‘Hey, have you ever thought about driving a truck?’ I said, no, but I had been in healthcare for about sixteen years and needed a change to get away from it all, and I thought I’d give it a try. I figured it would be something I’d do for a couple of years and then move on to something else. Here I am, twenty years later,” he chuckled. Dan says he enjoys interacting with other drivers, and works for Smith Transport out of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, as a driver mentor. “I’m very service oriented. In my previous job, I was a manager for several different accounts in health care, and this has given me the opportunity to get involved with people once again. You see, I don’t just drive the truck down the road; I get involved with the drivers and work with them day in and day out. I’m very involved with the Smith Transport orientation program and help to keep the drivers productive and earning a paycheck, so I take it very personally. I’m available to them 24 hours a day to answer questions and assist in any way possible. My mission is to keep the driver rolling and productive, so they’ll stay with us.”

Dan had worked for other trucking companies before joining Smith in his third year in trucking. Three years ago, Smtih was bought out by Heartland Express. The company was founded by Barry Smith over forty-five years ago. “We’re still the black and chrome fleet with a fresher look, and service the Northeast. We operate as a team with sister companies, and it’s definitely a plus for Heartland to have Smith in their fleet, and we’re proud to be with them.”

Dan learned about Wreaths Across America many years ago and felt it was an organization worthy of his donations. “I’ve had the opportunity to see them out in the cemeteries, and nothing will take your breath away more than seeing these wreaths honoring thousands of veterans. It’s fantastic. I’m very excited about it because we got the call a few weeks ago that we’re going to be in the convoy to Arlington this year, and I believe next year, and Smith has chosen me as the driver. It’s quite an honor. I got to go up last year to Maine to pick up the wreaths and enjoy the camaraderie of the drivers. I got to go to the tip forest and place a dog tag, and I hope to get to do that again this year. I even got to see where the wreaths are made.”

Dan delivered last year to five cemeteries in New Jersey, and he thought it was such a nice touch that after his truck was loaded, the workers attached a wreath to the front of his tractor.  “It was a fantastic experience, and I was excited to learn that I was coming back this year. I had no idea it would be in this capacity.  I’m so excited. It’s such a huge honor for us to participate in the convoy to Arlington.”

Thank you, Dan, for your military service and tireless commitment to our veterans through the mission to remember, honor and teach. We’re excited to see you in December, too!

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 Dan 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