This very personal expression of gratitude was shared in pictures and online and became a symbol of how dedicated the trucking industry is to supporting our nation’s military.
Alexandria, Virginia, Milford, Connecticut, and Columbia Falls, Maine (PRWEB) November 22, 2013
In an effort to show support for veterans and honor their families this holiday season, Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, is teaming up with Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and Pilot Flying J to launch the trucking industry’s first annual rolling tribute. On Tuesday, November 26, at Pilot Travel Center in Milford, Connecticut, Morrill and Karen Worcester, WAA’s founder and executive director, respectively, will personally hand out 1,000 free wreaths to professional truck drivers to kick off the tribute. Drivers will receive fasteners so they can attach their wreath to the grill of their truck onsite as an immediate show of support.
Each driver’s wreath is one half of a Trucking’s Patriot Pair, and the remembrance wreath in the set will be laid at Arlington National Cemetery by volunteers on National Wreaths Across America Day, December 14, 2013. Professional drivers who receive a free wreath from the Worcesters — and all those who would like to participate by ordering the Trucking’s Patriot Pair online at http://www.truckloadofrespect.com — are being asked to stop at a local cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day, remove the wreath from their grill, and place it on the headstone of a veteran.
“This idea started after seeing many of our volunteer professional drivers participating in the annual escort to Arlington remove the wreaths affixed to the grill of their rigs, and place it on a headstone once we made it to the cemetery,” said Morrill Worcester, founder, Wreaths Across America. “This very personal expression of gratitude was shared in pictures and online and became a symbol of how dedicated the trucking industry is to supporting our nation’s military.” For this reason, WAA is asking all drivers participating in the rolling tribute to photograph and share their experience online using #rollingtribute.
Trucking’s Patriot Pair is a new option of support for all professional drivers, and can be ordered at http://www.truckloadofrespect.com and shipped directly to the driver’s specified address. With a donation amount of $30, drivers will receive one wreath and fasteners for display on the grill of their tractor, and a second wreath will be placed on a veteran’s headstone at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition, all drivers who donate will receive a WAA window decal and $5 from every purchase will go directly to TCA’s National Image Campaign.
“Many professional drivers in the trucking industry have a personal connection to the armed forces and recognize the sacrifice that fallen heroes have made in the name of freedom,” said Deborah Sparks, vice president, Truckload Carriers Association. “This tribute will be a constant, visual reminder of the dedication our drivers have to this remarkable organization and will help further TCA’s National Image Campaign mission of increasing awareness and promoting a positive image of the trucking industry.”
Worcester Wreath Company is donating these first 2,000 wreaths in the hopes that all professional drivers will want to become part of the rolling tribute.
More information about Worcester Wreath Company can be found at http://www.worcesterwreath.com.
TCA members can find more information about and order the Trucking’s Patriot Pair at http://www.truckloadofrespect.com.
Follow Wreaths Across America on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/WreathsAcross.
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About Truckload Carriers Association
TCA is the only national trade association whose collective sole focus is the truckload segment of the motor carrier industry. The association represents dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and intermodal container carriers operating in the 48 contiguous states, as well as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Representing operators of more than 200,000 trucks, which collectively produce annual revenue of more than $20 billion, TCA is an organization tailored to specific truckload carrier needs.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit http://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, is committed to making life better for professional drivers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has more than 650 retail locations. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 65,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,400 showers and 4,000 diesel lanes, with more than 3,400 offering DEF at the pump. Pilot Flying J subsidiary Pilot Logistics Services is one of the fastest growing energy logistics companies in North America. Together, Pilot Flying J and Pilot Logistics Services employ more than 24,000 people. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 6 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit http://www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.