Clean Harbors Unveils Wreaths Across America Tribute Truck

It all starts in October in the quiet town of Columbia Falls, Maine. A bustling operation is underway in an area shrouded by balsam fir trees – volunteers are busy building millions of wreaths to ship to cemeteries throughout the country.

Come December, as part of National Wreaths Across America Day, ceremonial wreaths are displayed at thousands of locations, including Arlington National Cemetery, to honor all those who served in the United States military.

Clean Harbors has worked with the organization for years and most recently was among the few selected to deliver wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. To make the trip to Washington D.C. in 2023 and moving forward, the company’s National Transportation department decided the truck would do so in style – with a wrap that pays tribute to Wreaths Across America and all it represents.

Completed this spring, the truck features the Wreaths Across America logo – to remember the fallen, honor those who served and teach others the value of freedom. In a nod to the traditional military pattern, the cab is camo colored and different branches of the Armed Forces are represented. On one side, there is a MRAP (mine-resistance ambush protected) vehicle, which is commonly used in the Army and Marine Corps, a fighter jet for the Air Force and a battleship for the Navy – all imposed over an American flag.

As leaders of National Transportation were looking into who would drive the new tribute truck, they wanted someone who had a connection to Wreaths Across America. They landed on driver Rob Roy, who has been volunteering with the organization for nearly a decade – laying wreaths at cemeteries near his hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of Wreaths Across America Day in December.

“It’s an emotional experience because you have these heroes who gave everything for the freedom that we have,” Roy said. “To drive this truck into Arlington National Cemetery and lay wreaths for all the soldiers who gave their lives is going to be the greatest honor I think anyone can receive.”