In November and December, one of the busiest periods of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings drivers together in an effort of unparalleled unity. With a positive, “can-do” work ethic, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2024, with over 4,909 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics were immense.

Many of these drivers are military veterans and say the truckload of fresh balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America shares their stories in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

Chris Drew was once what was referred to as a “weekend warrior” serving in the Maine Air National Guard. “When I entered, I was a traditional guardsman one weekend a month and two weeks a year sort of assignment, and I did that for five years,” he explained. “Then, about five years in, a full-time position opened up to help coordinate our deployments, and that sort of thing, and I did that for ten years.”

Chris has been working with Minuteman Security and Life Safety out of Andover, Mass., for the past four years, and his son Aidan is also employed there. “Minuteman works with low-voltage electronics, access controls, camera systems, closed-circuit TV, fire alarms, and security intrusion systems. It’s a very veteran-focused company. We have a lot of veterans who work for us.” 

Chris knew about Wreaths Across America for a few years before getting involved directly with the mission. “I had been to some of the convoy meet and greets in southern Maine, and I had some friends who worked at Wreaths,” he shared. “Beth Butler still works for them, but has moved to sunny Arkansas, and Kathy Upton worked for them too, but she passed away last year. We really miss her. They introduced me to the organization and how it operates. I just think it’s great that Karen and Morrill have looked to take care of our veterans and have gone above and beyond. It just warms my heart to see private citizens taking the initiative to honor those who have served, some have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who are serving.”

Chris decided that 2024 would be his time to get directly involved as a member of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, and his company made it possible by providing a 16-foot construction trailer he and his son Aidan used to transport veterans’ wreaths. “When I first got up there to the driver’s lounge, it was a little overwhelming trying to find a parking spot among all those big rigs,” he confessed. “We were immediately greeted with open arms, though. It was a little disjointed at first because they weren’t sure where we were going, but they got it figured out pretty fast. They filled that trailer from stem to stern, so to speak, and there wasn’t an ounce of extra space. We did three loads. One place in New Hampshire, one in Massachusetts, and we were slated to do a delivery in New Jersey, but when we called the point of contact, she had a truck that was going to be in Connecticut, so we were able to meet him at a point in Connecticut. Some of the places we delivered to wouldn’t have been able to handle one of the big trucks; they didn’t have big parking lots. ”

Chris and Aidan’s deliveries were arranged in a way that allowed them to depart Maine on the Sunday that the Wreath Escort to Arlington National Cemetery left Narraguagus High School for its annual trek. “Last year was not the best year for takeoff,” Chris chuckled. “It was very stormy that morning, and it was amazing to see all the people who came out along the route. The gentleman, who was obviously a veteran, down to the young kids with their hands on their hearts, showing respect. Given the weather that day, seeing the amount of people standing out there lining the street was just amazing. It was humbling.”

Chris is in it to win it again this year, and eagerly awaits information on where his load of veterans’ wreaths will take him to meet the other Wreaths Across America volunteers who are equally eagerly awaiting his arrival in time for placing the wreaths, and saying the names of our fallen, for National Wreaths Across America day, which falls on Saturday, December, 13, 2025.

Thank you, Chris, for your service, and Aidan and the entire team at Minuteman for your commitment to our veterans through the mission to remember, honor and teach.

If you’d like to join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, you can get started with a click right here!

You can hear more with Chris, and find out what the golden stamps are, on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 10:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio and on Tuesdays at 9:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM CT as part of RadioNemo’s Road Gang Radio, streaming at RadioNemo.com , iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Facebook. You can also catch all of RadioNemo's content on-demand on your favorite podcasting platform.

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com