Trucking Tributes

This edition of Trucking Tributes marks the final episode hosted by Susan Patten of Wreaths Across America. Susan sits down with longtime friend and industry veteran, Don Queeney, who will join Elizabeth Bara as the new voice of the program. Susan shares her retirement plans after National Wreaths Across America Day. She reflects on her years of conversations with drivers, coordinators, law enforc...

Susan Patten highlights the people who keep the Wreaths Across America mission moving. Professional drivers and carriers make it possible for millions of families to honor veterans each December. In 2024, drivers delivered 800 truckloads of wreaths, supported by more than 390 carriers and partners. These deliveries reached over 4,900 participating locations, including Arlington National Cemetery....

In this edition of Trucking Tributes hosted by Susan Patten, Wreaths Across America honors Jason Taylor, a Maine trucker who after 20 years of working to join the Honor Fleet drivers, is finally getting his chance to join in 2025. In the conversation, Jason shares how not just the right equipment, but also a "can-do" attitude has led to the moment that he has long waited for. Learn more about Wrea...

In this edition of Trucking Tributes hosted by Susan Patten, Wreaths Across America honors professional driver and Air National Guard veteran Chris Drew of Minuteman Security and Life Safety. Chris shares his story of service, family, and purpose as part of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet. From his early years in the Maine Air National Guard to transporting veterans’ wreaths alongside his s...

In this edition of Trucking Tributes hosted by Susan Patten, Wreaths Across America honors Polly Trotter, special project coordinator for the Bennett Family of Companies. The daughter of a truck driver, Polly and Susan discuss how she went from designing Walmarts and retiring, to making herself a part of the Bennett Family of Companies and working with Wreaths Across America. Learn more about Wrea...

In this week’s Trucking Tributes with host Susan Patten, Wreaths Across America shines a spotlight on David Pike of NFI Industries—a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran continuing his mission of service through trucking. From moving critical loads to leading veteran recruitment at NFI, David shares how trucking and the Wreaths Across America mission come together in purpose: to remember, honor, and te...

In this week’s Trucking Tributes—hosted by Susan Patten—Wreaths Across America honors Jerry Hayes of Hayes Recruiting Solutions, a proud member of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet. Jerry’s story is proof that you don’t need a big rig to make a big impact. Driving his bright blue Dodge and 14-foot white box trailer, Jerry hauls thousands of veterans’ wreaths with pride and gratitude. A former...

This week on Trucking Tributes, host Susan Patten sits down with Bob Vandenbrink from QLS Logistics & Transportation to celebrate the drivers and carriers who make the Wreaths Across America mission possible. Every year, thousands of truckloads of wreaths honor America’s veterans, and Bob shares his personal journey: from driving milk tankers and pharmaceuticals to hauling the most meaningful...

This week on Trucking Tributes, host Susan Patten sits down with Tracy Vanier to highlight the incredible role professional truck drivers play in the Wreaths Across America mission. In 2024 alone, drivers delivered 800 truckloads of veterans’ wreaths, representing over 390 carriers, bringing Americans together to remember, honor, and teach. Tracy shares her journey into trucking, inspired by the E...

This week on Trucking Tributes, host Susan Patten sits down with Glen Horack. Glen is a miletary veteran who served in the U.S. Marines Corps and is the owner of OJCS Enterprises. Listen to Trucking Tributes every Truckin’ Tuesday at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio, and on RadioNemo’s Road Gang Radio at 9:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM CT. Stream on-demand anywhere you get your podcas...

In this week’s edition of Trucking Tributes, host Susan Patten shines a spotlight on the professional drivers and trucking companies who make the Wreaths Across America mission possible. Without the trucking community, the mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach would be nearly impossible. In 2024 alone: 800 truckloads of wreaths were delivered 390+ carriers and partners were involved 4,909 particip...

In this edition of Trucking Tributes, hosted by Susan Patten on Wreaths Across America Radio, we spotlight Fastport and the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence contest. Professional drivers and trucking companies give so much to the nation, and without them, the Wreaths Across America mission would be nearly impossible. In 2024 alone, 800 truckloads of veterans’ wreaths were delivered, tha...

This week on Trucking Tributes, presented by Wreaths Across America, Susan Patten sits down with Jeff Moore of A-Mrazek Moving Systems to share his story as part of the Honor Fleet. Professional drivers are the backbone of the Wreaths Across America mission. Without them, delivering over 800 truckloads of veterans’ wreaths to 4,900+ participating locations would be impossible. These wreaths repres...

On this episode of Trucking Tributes with Susan Patten, we share the story of Richard Vanier and Stevens Trucking as they proudly join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet. Professional drivers and trucking companies make the Wreaths Across America mission possible. Each December, drivers haul millions of veterans’ wreaths to cemeteries across the nation and beyond. In 2024 alone, 800 truckloads...

On this episode of Trucking Tributes, we shine a light on the professional drivers who make the Wreaths Across America mission possible. Each December, thousands of truckers transport veterans’ wreaths to cemeteries across the nation — ensuring that millions of fallen heroes are remembered, honored, and taught to future generations. This week, we hear from Lisa Flater, a U.S. Air Force veteran and...

On this week’s Trucking Tributes, Susan Patten welcomes John Elliot and Nick Miller with Load One Transportation to discuss their work at Load One Transportation, how they got into the trucking industry, their involvement with Wreaths Across America and more.  Listen to Trucking Tributes every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11 AM and 4 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio, and Tuesdays at 9 AM ET / 8 AM CT...

This week on Trucking Tributes with Susan Patten, we honor U.S. Army Veteran Vince Strupp of V&J Strupp Trucking, LLC. For the past 14 years, Vince has been an essential part of the mission at Wreaths Across America, hauling loads of remembrance wreaths across the country to ensure our fallen heroes are never forgotten. Hear Vince’s inspiring story — from serving in the U.S. Army to serving be...

On this week’s Trucking Tributes, Susan Patten welcomes Anne-Marie Lynn, Director of Business Development and Marketing for U.S. Legal Services — a company devoted to defending the professional drivers who carry out one of the most sacred missions in transportation: delivering veterans’ wreaths for Wreaths Across America. Anne-Marie shares her unexpected journey into the trucking industry, her fam...

This week on Trucking Tributes with Wreaths Across America, we meet Dan Welker, a U.S. Navy veteran and professional truck driver with Smith Transport, who has been chosen to haul one of the most meaningful loads of his life. Veterans' wreaths bound for Arlington National Cemetery as part of the WAA Honor Fleet. Dan shares his incredible journey from serving aboard the U.S.S. Seattle to a 20-year...

This week on Trucking Tributes with host Susan Patten, we shine a spotlight on the independent spirit of America’s professional drivers and the essential role they play in Wreaths Across America’s mission to remember, honor, and teach. In 2024 alone, more than 800 truckloads of veterans' wreaths were delivered by over 390 carriers — a powerful testament to the unity and dedication of the trucking...

Today on Trucking Tributes, Susan Patten talks with Kent Grisham, the director of the Nebraska Trucking Association, about how he got into the world of trucking and the NTA's work with Wreaths Across America's virtual convoy "Truckloads of Remembrance". Listen every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11 AM & 4 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio, and at 9 AM ET / 8 AM CT as part of RadioNemo’s Road Gang R...

This week on Trucking Tributes, we honor David May, a professional driver with XPO for the past 28 years and a veteran of both the U.S. Army and the trucking industry, where he’s spent nearly half a century behind the wheel. David shares his unforgettable story—from grinding gears as a young Private suddenly tasked with driving a semi, to building a lifelong career rooted in service, dedication, a...

On this week’s Trucking Tributes, host Susan Patten is joined by Courtney George, Manager of Transportation and Industry Relations at Wreaths Across America. Courtney shares exciting updates about the expanding logistics behind National Wreaths Across America Day, coming up on Saturday, December 13, 2025. With the demand rising by up to 200,000 additional wreaths this year and new hubs launching i...

Susan Patten talks with military veteran and Baylor Trucking driver Chris Sonner about his journey to becoming a professional driver after spending time serving with the Army National Guard and active duty in the Air Force, and his experiences with Wreaths Across America. Tune in for heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes insight, and a deep appreciation for the people who ensure millions of wreaths...