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.

Members of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet represent the best-of-the-best professional drivers and carrier companies. Everyone knows, however, that sometimes things can go wrong and when they do, the best assurance that business will get straightened out quickly and prudently is good legal representation. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, millions of citations are issued to drivers for a variety of violations that range from driving above the posted speed limit to not stopping at a required weigh station.

Anne-Marie Lynn is the Director of Business Development and Marketing for U.S. Legal Services. “I never in a million years thought I would know as much about the trucking industry as I do today, but I love the trucking industry and professional drivers,” Anne-Marie admitted. “I always told people either you were born into the industry, or you stumble into it, and I stumbled into it. Our business had a product customized for commercial drivers. Someone here at U.S. Legal Service needed to understand what that meant and become very familiar with the transportation industry, and I decided that should be me. I joined the Florida and Georgia Motor Trucking Associations and the American Trucking Association. I love it and never want to leave it.”

U.S. Legal Services was founded fifty-one years ago by Anne-Marie’s father, who has since retired. “We started out as a company that provided legal services for the average American family or consumer. A trucking company heard about us and asked us to support them. Whether they had the cleanest pre-trip inspection, when a driver gets pulled over, there’s going to be something wrong. Something can rattle loose going down the highway. It’s just the way of the industry, and we want to be sure that drivers have good access to attorneys to represent them when that happens,” Anne Marie explained. “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when, because we know that bad things can happen to good drivers.” In April, U.S. Legal was sold to another individual who shares the founding family’s service and business philosophies.

Anne-Marie’s introduction to Wreaths Across America was back in 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery. “I’ve always had my kids around the big trucks, teaching them about safety and such, and through the associations, they were familiar with America’s Road Team. We decided to go into D.C. that year to see them coming in with the convoy,” Anne-Marie shared. “We helped place wreaths on the headstones. It was so humbling, such a tremendous honor. Our contribution was to pay tribute to those fallen soldiers; my kids remembered that. My son today is carrying on that tradition on his own with his fiancé.”

Anne-Marie is getting employees in their Jacksonville office involved, too, and U.S. Legal is helping support the Truckloads of Remembrance Virtual Convoy again in 2025. “Our employees don’t have the same level of interaction with professional drivers the way I do, so I’m excited for them to get involved. We tried to do some fundraising for Wreaths Across America last year, but it was a last-minute attempt, and we didn’t do as well as I would have liked, so we’re planning this year. Anything we can do to bring awareness to our American heroes. Our professional driving American heroes and to our veterans who have risked their lives for our country and our freedoms, that I think go undervalued every single day.”

Thank you, Anne-Marie, and U.S. Legal Services for your 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 Anne-Marie 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