NWA carriers participate in Wreaths Across America

Northwest Arkansas carriers have nearly 50 drivers hauling wreaths to U.S. cemeteries and thousands of employees helping to place wreaths on headstones of military veterans for Wreaths Across America.

Lowell-based carrier J.B. Hunt Transport Services will use 16 new military-themed semitrailers, driven by 42 drivers, to transport 18 loads of wreaths Dec. 7-15 for Wreaths Across America, according to a news release. This will be the fifth consecutive year the carrier has participated in the event.

More than 2,000 J.B. Hunt employees will participate Dec. 15 in Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies at cemeteries throughout the United States. The employees will join other volunteers placing wreaths on headstones of military veterans.

Some of those volunteers will be employees of Van Buren-based carrier USAT Capacity Solutions, formerly USA Truck. The company will have three drivers participating in the event and making multiple stops, said David Turner, senior manager of marketing for USAT Capacity Solutions.

Also, two drivers of less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight, a company of Fort Smith-based ArcBest, will be participating in the event, said Kathy Fieweger, spokeswoman for ArcBest.

The 42 J.B. Hunt drivers will transport the wreaths from Harrington, Maine, to 40 U.S. cemeteries and take part in the ceremonies. After the drivers transport the wreaths, the new trucks will be assigned to drivers who participated in the event this year.

“Each year this event evokes a broad spectrum of emotions,” said President and CEO John Roberts of J.B. Hunt. “We are encouraged by the show of support and participation, yet humbled when reflecting on its purpose. For each wreath that is placed we are reminded of the personal sacrifice that has been made, and we say their names to show gratitude for their service.”

Following are some of the cemeteries to which the J.B. Hunt drivers will transport the wreaths: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Elwood Cemetery, Fayetteville National Cemetery, Indiana Veterans’ Home Cemetery, Phoenix National Memorial Cemetery, Prospect Hill Cemetery, Richmond National Cemetery, San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Tahoma National Cemetery and Virginia National Cemetery. In 2017, more than 1.5 million wreaths were placed on headstones at more than 1,400 cemeteries during Wreaths Across America.