Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents Paul Sagehorn LLC


The Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach is impossible without the transportation industry. Veterans’ wreaths move by planes, trains, and livestock trailers, but trucks and their professional drivers transport the lion’s share of America’s respect. Wreaths Across America highlights their steadfast commitment in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio. Many of these drivers are veterans and say the truckload of fresh, balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. 

Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. In December, arguably the busiest time of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings them together in an effort of unparalleled unity. That unity, combined with a “can-do” work ethic, makes it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest here at home and overseas. With over 2,500 participating locations and Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are immense.

U.S. Navy veteran Paul Sagehorn in Sparta, Wisconsin, heard about Wreaths Across America for the first time back in 2014. “I was listening to the trucking channel on XM radio which I don’t really do that often,” Paul shared. “For some reason, I was listening that day, and I heard them interview Deb Sparks. A soon as I heard what she was talking about, I just knew I had to be a part of it. When I heard they actually needed semi-trucks to go into Arlington with these wreaths, I was intrigued. Up until that time, I had never heard of Wreaths Across America.”

Paul Sagehorn LLC is a family operation with two trucks, one famous. Paul’s father, Craig, also served in the U.S. Navy and will occasionally haul in the restored cabover originally used in the popular 80s TV show, BJ and the Bear. “He doesn’t do it full-time because he’s 80 years old,” Paul explained. “It’s one of the actual trucks used in the show and we restored it. He’s actually used that to haul the wreaths trailer.” 

Since the beginning of his involvement with Wreaths Across America, Paul includes family members to participate in the experience with him. His wife Kristie is a retired school teacher, his father a U.S. Navy veteran, his children, and siblings with their children. “I think it’s important for them to know, especially the kids, because I don’t think it’s instilled in them anymore like it used to be, for whatever reason,” Paul shared. “With my nieces and nephews, I make a point to make them look around and realize that every grave out there is a service member. Whether they died in battle or not doesn’t matter. At some point, they raised their right hand and made that commitment to give everything up to and including their life. I want them to understand how important that is. It’s a pretty powerful message.”

It’s often said the veteran’s wreath is a catalyst for making life-long connections. “The first year we were involved, we parked near John F. Kennedy’s grave, and a family that had participated previously came up to our truck because it was a nice new truck, and they thought it looked pretty good. We started to talk, and just that simple gesture connected us. Every year now, they ask where we’ll be staged so we can visit again. We communicate through the year occasionally and have become friends because of this event.”  

Every year around August, Paul says he gets “ramped up” because he knows National Wreaths Across America Day is not far off. It’s a big commitment Paul makes to haul America’s respect. “It’s quite humbling to see thousands of people from all different backgrounds come together with time and resources for the same mission.”  It’s a hefty donation to the mission for an independent operator like Paul, but he’s dedicated. “It’s important to me, and I try to pick up a load to haul as I’m heading east to Maine in December, but if I can’t, I’m still going to do this. Every one of the drivers has the same attitude about this load of wreaths. We’re going to get it to it’s destination no matter what because that’s our role to play. The volunteers waiting at the cemetery will do their part to make sure those headstones are covered.”

Thank you, Paul and family, for helping us remember, honor, and teach. You can hear Paul’s full interview on Trucking Tributes. Trucking Tributes is heard every “Trucking Tuesday” at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM eastern on Wreaths Radio.