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.

“Well, I'm a-runnin' down the road tryna loosen my load, I've got seven women on my mind.
Four that wanna own me, two that wanna stone me, one says she's a friend of mine…” That classic song by the Eagles got Tracy Vanier hooked on trucking, and she’s never looked back since. “It was the spinoff to BJ and the Bear, and those seven lady drivers got me,” she explained about why the trucking profession appealed to her. “The theme song was Take It Easy. I always loved big trucks to begin with, but those seven lady divers convinced me that if they could do it, I could do it.” Her dad’s encouragement didn’t hurt either. “I told my daddy when I was maybe ten years old that I wanted to drive a truck for a living, and he said, You can do anything you want to do.” A ride in a friend’s Kenworth sealed the deal for Tracy.

When people ask her why the career of professional truck driving appeals to her, she responds with, “I have my own office space with a window ever-changing view. I listen to my own music as loud as I want. I tour the countryside on their fuel, and I get paid to do it.”

Eight months of yard-jockeying at a paper mill developed her experience that has earned her the respect of the industry. “I’ve had a lot of compliments from customers,” Tracy shared. ”Some have told me that I back up a trailer to a dock better than some of the male drivers do.”

Tracy’s training and love of trucking rubbed off on her young son, Richard Vanier, who was also featured in Trucking Tributes. They drove as a team when they first experienced the Wreaths Across America mission as members of the Honor Fleet. “He’s been watching me since he was just a little kid and was always eager to learn. He was like one of only five kids in high school who drove a stick transmission back and forth to school. I had heard about Wreaths Across America a long time ago and knew I wanted to do it,” Tracy expressed. “When we were at Tri State together, he told me they were looking for volunteers to haul wreaths and asked me if he should put our names in, and I said, you better!”

Tracy shared some of the same observations as Richard relating to the welcome they received in Maine. “I was able to meet a whole lot of people there, including the founder, Morrill Worcester, and he was so humble. He says he’s just a wreath-maker from Maine,” Tracy chuckled. “I just love his story of how he got things started, and everyone there treated us like we were family.

Aside from the friendly greetings and positive experiences Tracy had in Maine, she explained her powerful connection with the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach. “My Uncle Arthur is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. My father is in the national cemetery in Dade City. A good friend of ours, Richard Merrill, is buried in the same cemetery as my father.  We have so many friends and relatives who served in the military who are buried in these national cemeteries. I love the military. Growing up, I wish I had been part of the military, but I didn’t get to do that.” Tracy believes hauling veterans’ wreaths is her way of serving those who sacrificed so much for our nation.

Tracy was deeply touched by the patriotism shown by those in Maine and New England who came out along the roadside to see the Annual Wreath Escort to Arlington National Cemetery pass through their communities. “All the people holding and waving their flags, and the one gentleman, who stands there with his white gloves, saluting the whole time as we go by. I enjoyed it all; the police escorting us was the best part.”

Tracy also shared her experience of making a veteran’s wreath she assembled at the driver’s check-in lounge. “There’s a paper that goes along with it that explains the meaning behind each part of the wreath. When I was done, the lady there said it was a full, beautiful wreath and it smelled so nice.”

Tracy strongly encourages any professional driver and carrier company to get involved as a member of the Honor Fleet. It’s something she would do again without hesitation if asked. “My current company hasn’t selected its drivers yet for this year, and they like to give military veterans the first opportunity if they want it, and I totally respect that. If I do it again this year, I do, and if I don’t, I don’t, but going to Maine is the absolute best.”

Thank you, Tracy, for your 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 Tracy on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 10:00 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