Wreaths Across America Has Ceremony At Chattanooga National Cemetery Saturday

The public is invited to attend Wreaths Across America, a holiday wreath-laying ceremony at Chattanooga National Cemetery to honor and remember the nation’s veterans, on Saturday at noon.  

The Civil Air Patrol’s TN Wing, Group II and several veterans service organizations coordinated the event to honor veterans of each branch of the military and the Merchant Marines, as well as Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action.  

Following the ceremony at noon at the Armed Forces Pavilion, participants are encouraged to assist with placing the donated wreaths on graves in designated sections of the cemetery. 

Covenant Transport and U.S. Xpress will deliver 6,400 gravesite wreaths donated by national nonprofit Wreaths Across America. 

Both carriers have supplied equipment and drivers for the Wreaths Across America program before to other veteran gravesites, including Arlington National Cemetery. This is the first year, however, Covenant has had the honor of delivering Christmas wreaths to the national armed forces cemetery in Chattanooga, the hometown for both carriers. 

Joey Hogan, president of Covenant Transportation Group, said Lookout Valley-based Covenant Transport is honored to take part in this tradition. “Being a part of this project is one of the highlights of our year,” he said. “It’s an honor to bring a smile and remembrance to families who shared and sacrificed a loved one for us.” 

Many Covenant employees, past and present, have a personal connection to Chattanooga National Cemetery, Mr. Hogan said. “We have employees who have family members buried here in Chattanooga, and this is the least we can do to say ‘Thank you,’” he said. 

“As a company, and individually, this effort is one of many ways we pay our respects to veterans and their families," said Eric Fuller, president and COO of U.S. Xpress.  "We are humbled by their sacrifices they’ve made for us all." 

“Making the event even more poignant is the fact that the two U.S. Xpress drivers delivering the wreaths are a married driving team, each of whom is a veteran of the armed forces,” Mr. Fuller continued. 

In addition to donating time and resources for the actual delivery, over 20 U.S. Xpress employees are donating their personal time at the event to help hang wreaths. 

Wreaths will arrive at Chattanooga National Cemetery around 9 a.m. on Saturday, escorted by
members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Upon delivery, wreaths will be placed by family members of
veterans buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery. 

In addition to Chattanooga National Cemetery, Covenant is also one of dozens of trucking companies delivering wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery this year. Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery will also take place on Saturday.

The Worcester Wreath Company, through a campaign called Wreaths Across America, began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to veterans laid to rest at VA’s national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries in 2006.  Since 1992, they have donated wreaths for gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery.