Video Credit: Dale Real
Steve T. shared this video with us.
Watch a convoy of trucks as they pass though Brunswick, on their way to deliver wreaths to veteran’s graves for Wreaths Across America.
Each year, Wreaths Across America, with the help of volunteer truck drivers, delivers wreaths to the grave sites of thousands who have sacrificed so much for our country.
Truck drivers who want to participate in Wreaths Across America can signup through the Truckload of Respect Website. The site makes it easy and efficient for carriers and drivers to support and honor our nation’s veterans.
The Truckload Carriers Association says it takes a significant amount of effort and planning to pull off the event. The Truckload of Respect website helps coordinate carriers, drivers and volunteers. “Trucking companies, owner operators, and professional truck drivers that may be located in all parts of the country must get to one of four origination points for wreath pickup. They must then transport the wreaths to the various cemeteries in cities across the U.S. Additional trucks will haul the majority of the wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington, Virginia, via the ‘world’s largest veterans’ parade.’ This convoy of 18-wheelers drives down the East Coast for a week prior to the event, stopping at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes, and communities for rallies and educational events along the way,” the TCA states.
Over the years, the number of wreath donations has increased; as a result, the demand for more trucks and drivers to haul the wreaths as well.
The TCA’s Truckload of Respect makes it easier and more economical for drivers and carriers to participate. With the help of Tennant Truck Lines, the load history from the last three years has been analyzed and they’ve found the most economical and efficient routes available for volunteers.
“Carriers can now use the Truckload of Respect website to choose routes that make the most business sense for them,” the TCA states.
Volunteers can use the website to choose their routes based on starting at origin point, state, number of stops or cemetery location.
“After scrambling to patch loads together, it was time to take it up a notch and apply solid trucking logic to this endeavor,” said Aaron Tennant, company president and TCA’s at-large officer. “I remember when Barry Pottle, a past TCA chairman, first told us about how he was hauling wreaths for WAA. Although he personally did not serve his country, he said this was his way of giving back to those who did. We pretty much all feel that way now. So tightening up the way we coordinate the loads is just another way we can improve something we strongly believe in.”
This year, carriers that can’t participate can choose to sponsor a load to help with fuel costs for an owner operator.
In addition, drivers and carriers can purchase wreaths on the site.
From Truckload of Respect:
Donate A Wreath- $15 You can help support our fallen Veterans by donating a the cost of a wreath. We will use your donation to purchase a wreath to be placed at Arlington national Cemetery.
Rolling Tribute- $40 professional truck drivers can purchase a wreath to attach on grill of truck, corresponding wreath to be laid at Arlington on National Wreaths Across America Day. Includes shipping and handling.
To make or select a delivery route, sponsor a load, or donate a wreath, please visit www.TruckloadofRespect.com. You can also stay informed about TCA’s involvement in National Wreaths Across America Day by following us on Twitter – www.truckload.org/Twitter — and Facebook — www.truckload.org/Facebook — and by using the hashtag #121314SayIDid.
Follow this link to read more about Wreaths Across America.