Especially during the holidays, wreaths are a symbol of joy and celebration with family. For many Americans who’ve lost a loved one in war, these holiday decorations have also taken a different meaning – one of remembrance. 

Landstar Business Capacity Owner (BCO) Duane Hood and his wife Paula have dedicated their time and money to help honor fallen veterans by volunteering to haul commemorative wreaths with Wreaths Across America (WAA). According to the website, the nonprofit works to pay tribute to military lives lost while on duty by placing wreaths at graves in military cemeteries across the country during National Wreaths Across America Day.

Since 2008, Wreaths Across America Day has been nationally recognized on a Saturday in December. Every year, the nonprofit coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at over 4,600 locations across the United States and abroad to honor United States veterans.

Thanks to the nonprofit and volunteer truck drivers like Hood and his wife, donated wreaths were delivered to cemeteries across the country, just in time for community members to adorn the gravestones of fallen soldiers during this year’s Wreaths Across America Day on December 14. Hood delivered 4,380 wreaths to five cemeteries from his pickup in Maine to locations across Texas. 

“It’s our way of saying that we appreciate these veterans’ sacrifice, and they are not forgotten,” Hood said. 

As a veteran and father of four children who’ve served in the armed forces, Hood has long admired the project. He first learned about this year’s opportunity to haul the wreaths from fellow Landstar BCO Robert Mead, who has previously volunteered to haul for the WAA. Mead encouraged Hood to sign up for this year’s haul, and he jumped at the possibility of helping honor military lives. 

Hood donated his fuel and time for the project, deadheading from Florida to the pickup location in Maine. His ARI Volvo custom tractor accumulated over 5,000 miles during the two-week journey. 

“It’s humbling, and I hope it inspires others to do similar work. It’s absolutely something I’d do again,” he said.

Hood, who has been with Landstar for over 20 years and is a Million Mile Safe Driver, credits the company for donating the trailer for the haul, helping make the journey possible. 

“They bent over backward helping me,” Hood said. “Landstar was immediately onboard, even giving me a brand-new trailer.”

Hood and his wife delivered wreaths to five national cemeteries in Texas: Leander City, San Marcos, two in Canyon Lake, and lastly, Laredo.  At each location they were greeted by local dignitaries and members of the Veterans Memorial Fund. During their final stop in Laredo, they were escorted by police as part of a veterans’ parade as National Wreaths Across America Day began. 

However, despite the ceremony surrounding his arrival, Hood stays humble about his work. 

“With these wreaths, we tell fallen soldiers we remember what they’ve done,” Hood said. “They paid the ultimate price for our freedom. For me, doing this is just a drop in the bucket compared to anything like that.”