Josh Fisher | FleetOwner
wreaths across america in lakeview cemetary

How Wreaths Across America works with trucking to honor veterans

Nov. 11, 2024
Wreaths Across America works with the trucking industry to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. Here are some of the programs WAA facilitates today.

Few industries honor veterans quite like trucking, and few organizations remember the fallen like Wreaths Across America.

Founder of the nationally recognized Wreaths Across America Day, this organization develops countless activities and resources to honor veterans who have died. Trucking is an essential part of that work.

“The trucking industry is the most impactful industry for what we do,” Courtney George, director of transportation and industry relations for WAA, told FleetOwner. “They wholeheartedly make a huge difference. We couldn’t do what we do—we couldn’t remember so many very deserving souls—if it wasn’t for the trucking industry.”

See also: Five Good Things: Veteran support

Wreaths Across America Day

Many wreaths go to Arlington National Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the U.S. National Cemetery System, in WAA’s Escort to Arlington.

“About 14 lucky trucks spend a week going down to Arlington National Cemetery,” George explained. “They stop at different schools, companies, or veteran service organizations that request us to stop along the way.”

WAA’s 2024 Escort to Arlington schedule includes stops at schools, colleges, churches, monuments, and more.

Truckloads of Remembrance

Truckloads of Remembrance is one of the ways that state trucking associations participate in sponsoring wreaths. Through this program, WAA hosts a virtual convoy for Arlington National Cemetery. Association sponsorships fill a virtual tractor-trailer load of veterans’ wreaths.

WAA’s goal is to raise a trailer load—approximately 5,000 wreaths—from each state to honor servicemembers laid to rest at Arlington.

TEACH program

The organization’s TEACH Program offers free, downloadable lesson plans for youth of all ages to learn the history and value of American military service. WAA’s Cindy Tatum—a retired teacher and previous president of American Gold Star Mothers Inc.—developed the curriculum.

“We’ve had over 25,000 downloads thus far this year,” George said.

Stem to Stone

The Stem to Stone race is a community and fundraising event held in Maine each July.

Every registration for the race sponsors a wreath, and the race itself brings together communities and WAA supporters.

“There’s a huge level of patriotism that happens during Stem to Stone,” George said. “It’s great because it brings people from all facets of what we do—whether it’s educators, whether it’s trucking companies.”

Trucking is special to WAA

The trucking community is an essential part of Wreaths Across America’s work.

“What I love about the trucking industry is how often they come together; how they all work together and make it their mission to help, whether it’s in their own community or in Arlington National Cemetery.”

WAA’s Honor Fleet transports millions of wreaths in December. Over 300 carriers were part of the 2023 Honor Fleet. Countless other trucking industry groups support WAA in its work to honor and remember veterans.

Remember, honor, teach—all year long

From laying flags on Memorial Day to many other events, WAA is always planning its next move to honor veterans.

During this Veterans Day, George is representing WAA at the Women in Trucking conference.

“If there’s anything veteran related, we will all be out doing service,” George said.

About the Author

Jeremy Wolfe | Editor

Editor Jeremy Wolfe joined the FleetOwner team in February 2024. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with majors in English and Philosophy. He previously served as Editor for Endeavor Business Media's Water Group publications.

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