Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents Walmart's Dave Mott and the First Mile Driver Experience


Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation. Without the transportation industry, 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 2021, to be specific, 525 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 390 different carriers.

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, that unity makes it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest here at home and overseas. In 2022, with over 3,400 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are immense.

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. Wreaths Across America highlights their steadfast commitment in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

Dave Mott’s dad served in the United States Army during World War II, so when Dave finished high school, he decided he’d join the Navy, which was his dad’s first choice. He signed up, passed the tests, and was ready to go until the Navy asked him what he wanted to do, and Dave responded, “I want to be a truck driver.” Dave’s timing in that regard was unfortunate; that was when the Vietnam War had ended, and they told him they were “sending those guys home.” With brute determination, Dave decided he’d learn his desired skill on his own, and at the age of seventeen, bought his own rig and set out to teach himself how to drive. “There were no teachers back then, and there were a lot of learning curves, trust me,” Dave chuckled. “That’s when I was seventeen. It’s been a good career. I’m sixty-seven now!”

Dave retired once to embark on a personal and gratifying journey. “I retired at fifty and traveled across the country in a fifth-wheel camper with my dad. It’s something he always wanted to do. I did that for two years, and Dad passed away at ninety. We almost made it home; we put almost fourteen thousand miles on the truck and camper. When he passed, I felt a little lost and like I needed to do something. I asked a former secretary of mine, whose husband was a professional driver, what company she would want her husband driving for if he could drive for any trucking company on the planet. She said, “Hands down, Walmart.”

Dave is getting ready to retire again after driving for Walmart for fifteen years. “They have allowed me to become who I needed to be,” Dave said. “They’ve allowed me to be a good, honorable driver, and if it weren’t for them, I would never have experiences like the ones I’ve had with Wreaths Across America. I appreciate that more than you know.”

Dave is a Blue Star dad. His sons, Shaun and Nicholas, have served in the United States as Army Rangers. Nick retired after eleven years, but Sean is on active duty. In 2012, Dave had the incredible opportunity to haul America’s respect in the annual Wreath Escort to Arlington National Cemetery. On top of that, he was carrying the milestone one-millionth veterans’ wreath to be placed that year. At the time he was traveling in the escort, his son Nick called to inform him he was going to be able to come back stateside and heard all the sirens. “He asked me if the police were pulling me over,” Dave recalled with amusement. “He said, Dad, I’d really love to be a part of that, and I said, well, ask your Commander for permission, and if he says yes, I’ll fly you down, and we’ll try to connect.” Nick got that permission, and when news spread of what was going on, the Governor of the State of Maine informed Dave that Nick would be “escorted” to join him in the Walmart truck upon his arrival back in the states in time to travel into the cemetery with his dad. His Commander asked Nick to coin a headstone in Arlington for a young Ranger who had been recently killed and laid to rest.

Dave has been an extraordinary volunteer for Wreaths Across America and serves as the “advance team” for the annual Wreaths Escort. Transportation and ceremonial logistics for the “longest veteran’s parade” in the nation are enormous. It’s important to note that not all trucks and drivers are destined for Arlington National Cemetery. With over 3,500 additional participating cemeteries across the country, Puerto Rico, and Guam and growing every year, Wreaths Across America wants all professional drivers and their carriers to know just how critical they are to the mission to remember, honor, and teach.

With new carriers and drivers coming on board yearly, Dave and the transportation team also support the First Mile Driver Experience. “Truck drivers are busy, and often they have no idea what’s waiting for them, Dave explains. “They can get a hot shower at the driver’s lounge and great food prepared by the Tyson Cook team. Then we make sure that they get to make a wreath, see the museum, and, if they have time, get them out on the tip land to tag a tree. Once they figure out what it’s all about, it’s nice to see that lightbulb come on when they realize how important this load is. One of our Walmart drivers said, ‘this is the most important load I haul every year, and I can’t agree more with him.”

Thank you, Dave Mott, and Walmart, for all you do to support the mission. You can hear Dave’s interview and learn more about the First Mile Driver Experience on Trucking Tributes. Trucking Tributes is listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM (Eastern) on Wreaths Across America Radio.