Wreaths Across America Salutes Critical Work of Truckers
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ARLINGTON, Va. — Wreaths Across America showcased the critical work truck drivers do in support of its mission to honor fallen soldiers during its appreciation dinner Dec. 15.
Wreaths Across America is an initiative that aims to honor veterans and their families by placing remembrance wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers. The national nonprofit held its annual appreciation dinner, alongside the Truckload Carriers Association, the night before its main event when volunteers placed wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
“This is my favorite event of the year,” Fastport President Brad Bentley said during the dinner. “What happens in this room on the eve of Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery represents a celebration. It represents community. It’s a coming together and a culmination of a lot of work from a lot of people who do selfless service behind the scenes.”
Fastport is a recruiting company that helps veterans find civilian employment. Bentley founded the company after a long career working with veteran-focused programs, including a decade with Wreaths Across America. He is also a former TCA president.
Thank you to everyone who made yesterday such a wonderful, touching day for veterans and military families across the country.
If you have not already, please share your Wreath Day photos with us at the link below! #ServeAndSucceedhttps://t.co/s3bWEsh7aG pic.twitter.com/FHxubSTppP — Wreaths Across America (@WreathsAcross) December 17, 2023
“Trucking has always been a patriotic industry,” Bentley said. “But there’s been a push in recent years to become more military-friendly. And for the past two days, almost 200 people attended a veteran summit at American Trucking Associations’ headquarters to share best practices on how to attract military talent into our industry and some of them are the main carriers supporting the mission of Wreaths Across America.”
Baylor Trucking President Cari Baylor recalled that the program was much smaller when her carrier began transporting wreaths 16 years ago. But that first year became a meaningful experience that drove her company to become an important advocate for bringing in carriers.
“We went to Arlington and laid wreaths in a handful of small sections,” Baylor said. “The next year I started calling trucking companies and asking them to participate. I went to TCA and I spoke there and asked people to participate. I went to Walmart corporate headquarters and told them how special it was and they started donating more money and here we are over 16 years later.”
Wreaths Across America placed remembrance wreaths on the stage for its appreciation dinner. (Connor D. Wolf/Transport Topics)
The Honor Fleet consists of volunteer professional truck drivers from numerous carriers who are responsible for transporting millions of wreaths to over 2,500 cemeteries and memorials across the country. That includes a convoy of select trucks that transports the wreaths for Arlington National Cemetery.
“First time in my life doing the Wreaths Across America convoy,” Baylor Trucking driver Eduardo Andrade said. “Some people come in and give us a hug or handshake or give us care bags, all kinds of stuff. Everybody is enjoying seeing us. To me, it was an excellent experience. Seeing those little kids, 2 or 3 years old, jumping around with a United States flag, and all this stuff. That’s amazing. I almost cried seeing them.”
Baylor Trucking first asked him whether he wanted to drive for Wreaths Across America eight years ago, since he was an Army veteran. He admittedly didn’t know what the program was at first but quickly became passionate about it. He has transported wreaths every year since, with this being his first time driving with the main convoy that went to Arlington National Cemetery.
Consultant Elisabeth Barna and Baylor Trucking driver Eduardo Andrade at the 2023 Wreaths Across America Appreciation Dinner. (Connor D. Wolf/Transport Topics)
“I told Cari, the company owner, anytime you want me to do anything for the service members, Army, anything, you can count on me,” Andrade said.
Andrade became fascinated with the military as a child playing with G.I. Joe toys in Ecuador. He would eventually move to the U.S. as an adult and joined the Army. But his service to his adopted country and fellow soldiers continued long after he transitioned into civilian life. Wreaths Across America consultant Elisabeth Barna joined him for the ride this year.
“I’ve been involved with Wreaths Across America for 20 years,” said Barna, who also serves as a consultant for Baylor Trucking and is a former ATA executive. “When I was at ATA, we had our truck in it. But early on they needed an extra truck.”
Barna said Barry Pottle, former owner of Pottle’s Transportation in Maine and a past ATA chairman, asked her to help get other trucking companies involved.
Albert Cayton was a professional driver who was killed by terrorists in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq back in 2004. Barna has worked to honor his memory and others she knows who served by being part of Wreaths Across America.
“I lost a really good friend,” Barna said. “He was actually an America’s Road Team captain way back when, and so I go to Arlington and find him and it’s heart-wrenching.”
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