Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents Open Lanes for 2020 and the Efforts of American Military University


In 2019, grateful Americans in every state participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at over 2,100 participating locations. Together, citizens remembered and placed 2.2 million veterans’ wreaths while saying the names of American heroes laid to rest in their communities. This symbol of respect and honor, in the form of a fresh balsam fir wreath with a single red bow, is transported from Maine to awaiting volunteers every December. The mission to remember, honor, and teach would not be possible without generous support from the transportation industry, specifically the trucking sector.

 

Trucking Tributes is a regular feature on Wreaths Across America Radio where you can hear more from the drivers, and their company CEO’s and Presidents about what motivates them to serve the mission. You’ll also hear from members of the Wreaths Across America staff and core volunteers who work diligently throughout the year to facilitate the transportation logistics required to meet the demand of National Wreaths Across America Day as it grows.

 

It's that growth that Don Queeney, Director of Transportation for Wreaths Across America, addresses this week on Trucking Tributes.  “When I first met Rob and Sarah Worcester, and other members of the trucking logistics team, I thought to myself, “How hard can it be?” Don says he was wrong, and when Wreaths Across America liaisons announced in November, just a few weeks from national Wreath Day, 300 new locations had signed up to participate, and they weren’t sure how successful they’d be in getting wreath sponsorships, I realized we were up for quite a challenge.“

 

The growth continues, and Don can confidently predict there will be open lanes available in 2020! You can sign up here.

 

MSR Transport Services, Inc. will be stepping up their game to support more of the trucking needs in 2020. That’s according to its President Rob Ahlers. Rob served in the Ohio National Guard deploying to Iraq as a truck driver for 15 months. Jumping ahead to today, Rob has been volunteering for Wreaths Across America as a truck Crew Chief for American Military University. Rob is an Ambassador for AMU and a self-proclaimed truck enthusiast when it comes to big trucks with flashy wraps. “My first experience with Wreaths Across America was showing up as the trucks were entering Arlington one wreath day,” Rob recalls. “I followed the crowd in and just became one of the volunteers placing wreaths. The next year, I decided to find out more.”

 

You can hear more from Rob next week on Trucking Tributes which airs exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM, and again at 4:00 PM EST.