Every December, volunteers gather at local, state and national cemeteries to honor veterans, whether they are family, friends or strangers. Liz Johnson says that this tradition builds gratitude for the sacrifices service members make for their country.

This week on Trucking Tributes, host Elisabeth Barna welcomes Johnson, marketing specialist for National Interstate Insurance Company, a relationship-driven business dedicated to the trucking industry. 

In her conversation with Barna, Johnson puts the patriotism within the trucking industry into perspective. She said that veterans make up 10 percent of professional truck drivers, and 25 percent of all U.S. veterans work in the trucking industry or a trucking-affiliated industry. As a part of the trucking industry and closely related to veterans, Johnson said that Wreaths Across America’s mission quickly became important to her. “I just felt that Wreaths Across America offered an opportunity to offer the respect our veterans deserve,” she said.

Johnson’s connection with veterans does not end with the trucking industry. In 2025, she visited Arlington National Cemetery and placed wreaths on her family’s headstones. She described the day as very emotional, but important. Recounting her story, Johnson said it was an intense experience honoring the veterans that day, whether family or strangers.

“These people paved a way and felt a sense of duty to protect all that is good and right in our country in good times and bad times,” Johnson said. After she was able to participate in wreath laying, she said, “At that moment, that was just me being able to say thank you.”

Tune in to Trucking Tributes on Wreaths Across America Radio’s Trucking Tuesday at 10 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. EST to hear more about Johnson’s involvement in the industry. You can also listen on demand on SoundCloud here.