Wreaths Across America's Trucking Tributes Presents Patrice Cook and Schneider


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.

Patrice Cook is blazing trails and making history, and her desire to serve and succeed in 2023 is backed up by over twenty-four years of military experience in the United States Army. “Twenty-four years, eleven months, and seventeen days” of experience, to be exact. “When I saw that video, the female military recruiter played for me in high school of an 88 Mike, I knew right then and there that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to travel, and what better way to do it than have the Army pay me to do it,” Patrice acknowledged. “Eighteen years of my time I spent driving trucks. I spent eight years in Germany driving a truck, and I got to do some amazing missions over there. I got to see other countries and learn some different driving techniques because it’s not the same in every country. I loved every minute of it.” In planning her military retirement, Patrice wanted to return to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, so she changed her MOS to 74 Delta Chemical Specialist.

In March 2014, Patrice retired from the Army. Even though she would still pursue professional driving as a career, it wasn’t immediate. Instead, Patrice and Lisa Phillips, her battle buddy from Iraq, found employment together in Pittsburgh at a company providing independent living services for the elderly. Using the skills, discipline, and structure they developed in the Army, Patrice, and Lisa supported that company by building a new transportation department from the ground up. “They could transport the elderly to appointments and the grocery store. We ordered the buses, trained their drivers, and taught them how to strap down wheelchairs safely and so on. It was such a great experience, and it was awesome to meet so many of my elders. I was proud of the growth we’d achieved, but one day, Lisa and I were sitting there looking at each other, and we were like, let’s go back to trucking. When we joined Schneider, I felt really good about what we had done in Pittsburgh. When we got there, they had nothing, and when we left, they had a fully operational transportation system.”

 

Patrice and Lisa both joined Schneider and, in 2018, were named the Driving Team of the Year. Check out this dynamic, trucking-driving duo:

In 2022, Schneider named Patrice Cook the first female Ride of Pride professional driver. She joined the Wreaths Across America family last December, hauling America’s respect in the form of veterans’ wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. The Freightliner Ride of Pride tractor is a beautiful sight to see on the highway. “A lot of people say to me, ‘Oh, you have a show truck, and I say, no, I have a veteran’s truck that just happens to be show-worthy. Every truck has a theme, and no two are the same. We take these trucks all over the country and participate in events that support veterans’ causes.”

When Patrice arrived in Maine to pick up her load, she saw so much more. “I was blown away,” she admitted with awe. “I took the tour of the museum, and it was amazing. There’s so much history and knowledge, and respect. Then I learned about the dog tags and said this is much more than just wreaths! As a veteran, it was humbling to know more about everything Wreaths Across America stands for and does when it comes to our veterans. It’s amazing. They really are focused on being sure they acknowledge the veterans, and everything they do is to teach. When I saw the Mobile Education trailer, I said to myself, ‘hey, how do I get to drive this?’ People may think they know when they see the name Wreaths Across America, but when they get to become a driver, they realize what really goes into the mission, and they’re like, ‘wow, I’m a part of this now.’”

Indeed, Patrice Cook is now part of the Wreaths Across America family, and we appreciate her and the entire Schneider team for supporting the mission to remember, honor, and teach. You can hear more of the interview with Patrice on Trucking Tributes, listened to exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM eastern.