Wreaths Across Americas Trucking Tributes Presents Courtney George at MATS
“Professional drivers are the face of what we’re doing; they’re our rolling ambassadors, and they’re all very passionate about hauling for us. We need more to join the family.
Wreaths Across Americas Trucking Tributes Presents Courtney George at MATS
Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without them, the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach would be nearly impossible. Veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, ships, and livestock trailers, but trucks and their professional drivers transport the lion’s share of America's respect. In 2023, to be specific, 717 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 332 different carriers and partners.
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 4,200 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are 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 and Sirius XM, Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.
Wreaths Across America’s Director of Transportation, Courtney George, will be joined this year at the Mid-America Trucking Show by Wreaths Radio personalities Susan Patten and Chris Chapman and volunteers extraordinaire Fred and Diane Thompson. It’s going to be all hands on deck for the show. “MATS is a great show with such energy,” Courtney expressed. “I’m excited that we’ll be able to see and take time with some of our excellent partners. During the seasons when they’re in Maine to pick up wreaths, we’re usually pretty busy. At the show, I’ll get to actually talk with some of them and get their feedback so we can improve their experience.”
Courtney and the team are always excited to relay information about the Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach. Wreaths Radio is looking forward to sharing some of the heartfelt stories of participation from America’s trucking industry while broadcasting on-site during MATS which runs March 21-23, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Every year, the mission grows, and with it, so does the need for support from the transportation industry. “Professional drivers are the face of what we’re doing; they’re our rolling ambassadors, and they’re all very passionate about hauling for us. We need more to join the family. Last year, we grew about seventeen percent, so I know I’m looking to fill about one hundred more loads every year.”
So many of the honor fleet drivers are veterans themselves, making the Wreaths Across America experience more personal. Many drivers have shared they made a conscious decision to join a company when they discovered that the company was participating. In some instances, drivers told us that when their company stopped participating for whatever reason, they decided to leave, looking for another company that was a member of the Honor Fleet.
If you or your company have more questions about hauling veterans’ wreaths, come visit us at MATS, Booth 67013. If you already know you’re ready to join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, you can get started with a click right here!
Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com
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Wreath Sponsorship
Northrop Grumman Supported by VERITAS and Corporate Citizenship (NG) |150543|
Did you know that Wreaths Across America now offers recurring sponsorships? You can select the occurrence and cancel or pause anytime! Register now by completing this form! (https://tinyurl.com/n735zrbr)
What does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you are supporting a yearlong mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Your sponsorship will support the new and existing programs developed to share the mission. And, it will place a wreath to honor an American hero at one of more than 3,700 participating locations this year on National Wreaths Across America Day – a day set aside to lay gathers as Americans with the same goal.
We can’t do that without your support, though. Your sponsorship will ensure that a wreath is hand-crafted of all-American balsam and hand-tied with a red velvet bow here in Columbia Falls, Maine. It will then be sent to one of our participating locations, where a volunteer will place it on the marker of a hero. That volunteer will then “say their name” to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten.
So, what does it mean to sponsor a wreath? It means you have the opportunity to join a grateful nation in saying “thank you” to those who stepped up to serve.
*Please Note: Specific locations designated as "ceremonial-only" accept a limited number of sponsorships. Any additional sponsorships received beyond those used for the ceremony will be distributed to other locations.
