Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents Jack Hart with Everhart Transportation, Inc.


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 2022, to be specific, 609 truckloads of wreaths were delivered, representing 439 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, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2023, with over 3,700 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 and what motivates them to serve and succeed in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

If ever there was a professional driver deeply touched and honored to serve Wreaths Across America, it’s Jack Hart. Jack has enjoyed success throughout his trucking career with titles ranging from safety engineer to owner/operator. Still, the passion he returns to time and time again is driving. “I absolutely love driving a truck,” Jack exclaimed. “Getting a load and completing it. I love jamming to music, talking to my sweetheart, or whatever. I could be doing other things like safety again, but I love driving a truck.”

So, you can understand how traveling thousands of miles with multiple stops from North Carolina to Maine to Florida was no big deal for Jack when he was asked to transport veterans’ wreaths in time for National Wreaths Across America Day. He’s made the commitment to support the mission for the last three years, with unwavering support from Cline and Lisa Everhart of Everhart Transportation Incorporated out of Greensville, Tennessee.

Jack’s “sweetheart,” Eunice, is a Gold Star Mother whose commitment to keeping the memory of her son alive motivates them both. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Eckard was killed in Afghanistan. Following the funeral, members of his church, themselves military veterans, talked about ways to remember and honor their fallen; thus, the group Fallen Heroes was formed. “It’s a ministry of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Hickory, North Carolina, under Pastor Bill Strum,” Jack explained. “As part of Fallen Heroes, anyone who had fallen loved ones in any of the Gulf Wars and so on, we send them cards, and we make sure that their memory is not lost. We bring them to the church every few years, and we just love on them. We make sure they know their soldiers, man or woman, are not forgotten.” Pastor Strum serves as a Chaplain with the United States Army Reserve.

It all came together for Jack when the Fallen Heroes group was invited to attend a Wreaths Across America ceremony at a cemetery in a neighboring community. “Before that, I didn’t know a thing about Wreaths Across America,” Jack admitted. “But that ceremony moved us like you wouldn’t believe when we realized you lay that wreath down with a little prayer at that soldier’s grave and say their name out loud. After we attended that ceremony, on our way back to Hickory, someone said, ‘we should see if Woodlawn Cemetery, where Chris is buried along with his dad, granddad, and about five-hundred other soldiers, can do a Wreaths Across America ceremony.’ We got permission from the cemetery, and I said, ‘Hey, Eunice and I can go up to Maine and get the wreaths.” Jack says he and Eunice donate the truck and fuel, Everhart the trailer, and he, Eunice, and their dog, Dude, make the wreaths pickup and deliveries. Jack quickly points out the work of U.S. Air Force veteran Regina Lafferty, “who spent over one hundred hours canvasing the cemetery making sure we knew where every soldier was buried.”

Jack shared how moving it was to arrive in Maine to pick up the veterans’ wreaths. “Everyone up there treated us like kings and queens, and they fed us even before we went to load. This year, Eunice got to make a wreath, and that was just unbelievable for her, and it moved us all.” Powerful connections blossomed into life-long friendships on the spot.“We met JD Walker and just fell in love with him. He’s the gentleman who drives for Gully Transport, and he lost his son, so he and Eunice have that connection.”

Thank you, Jack, Eunice, Everhart Transportation, and Fallen Heroes, for all you do to support our veterans and their families. You can hear Jack’s interview on Trucking Tributes, listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday exclusively on Wreaths Radio at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM Eastern.