Nearly 50 trucking companies hauled 80 truckloads of about 325,000 fresh wreaths to be laid on graves at more than 700 veterans’ cemeteries across the nation. The massive distribution supports Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization that coordinates veteran services and provides schools with teaching aides for projects.
Barry Pottle, president and chief executive officer of Pottle’s Transportation of Bangor, Maine, and a past chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association, has taken the lead in coordinating the trucking industry’s involvement with this event. “Wreaths Across America is a great cause … it has really brought the trucking industry together,” he says. “We’re united in wanting to wish veterans and their families happy holidays and to thank those who died protecting our freedom.”
Wreath Across America Day is held annually on the second Saturday of every December. The tradition of laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery began in 1992 when the owner of Worcester Wreath Co. found a surplus of leftover wreaths. With the help of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed in one of the sections of the cemetery.
For more information about the Wreaths Across America program, go to WreathsAcrossAmerica.org. To volunteer trucking equipment and drivers for next year, contact Barry Pottle at 800-370-5623 or [email protected].
