The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the trucking industry received glowing words of appreciation recently from Candy Martin, president of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. (AGSM). The two groups became acquainted while supporting the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America (WAA) and its efforts to transport and place fresh remembrance wreaths on graves at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries across the nation, as well as Arlington National Cemetery.

AGSM represents mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to the U.S. Martin has worked alongside TCA staff on many occasions and has spoken at TCA’s Gala to raise funds for WAA. Now, she has created special buttons that read “Gold Star Mothers Love Trucks.” On behalf of her organization, Martin wore one of the buttons herself and began passing them out at a wreath-laying ceremony held December 3rd at West Point cemetery in New York, where her own son is buried. She plans to distribute more buttons during the weeklong trucking convoy that will carry the wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington, Virginia, beginning December 10. Thousands of volunteers will then place the wreaths on the graves on December 17, National Wreaths Across America Day.

In a letter to TCA, Martin wrote about the friendship that has developed between TCA and the AGSM. “It is amazing that our organizations are both in the ‘service’ business, each with different missions and purposes, yet we have so much in common,” she wrote.

“I am learning more and more about how deeply involved and committed the trucking industry is. You are devoted to carrying the loads that will help REMEMBER (the fallen), HONOR (those who served), and TEACH (the next generation),” she continued, emphasizing the three tenets of WAA’s mission.

With National Wreaths Across America Day very close, TCA and its members are busy matching up trucking companies and professional truck drivers to wreath loads and routes. TCA thanks all those who are helping to haul the wreaths this year and wishes everyone a safe journey.