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.

Mike Griffin is a professional driver with Perdue Transportation and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. “I’ve always thought I’d like to drive a truck and I’m not sure why,” Mike chuckled. “After I retired from the military things just seemed to work where I could get a good job doing it. I only planned on doing it for five years but, twenty-five years later I’m still doing it. My wife and I enjoy what I’m doing, and it fits our lifestyle. Perdue Transportation gives me the chance to be home as much as I need to be. I stay close and don’t have to travel all across the country anymore, so I run more of a regional area now.”

Perdue has been involved with Wreaths Across America for many years and their Veteran’s Associate Resource Group, or VARG, members have worked as volunteers hosting the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit in Maryland. “They’re a really patriotic family and company.”

One of Mike’s good friends, Gary Kinnikin, is also an important part of this Trucking Tributes story. Gary is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, as is his wife, and together for the last several years Mike and Gary have delivered veterans’ wreaths to the United States Military Academy West Point Cemetery.  

Location Coordinator Jackie McNally said the entire West Point community knows Mike and Gary and look forward to their arrival each year. “Mike and Gary represent Perdue beautifully and we’ve grown fond of them over the years,” Jackie shared. “They always have a good time with us, and with them you can tell it’s genuine.” According to Mike, that respect is mutual. “We got connected several years ago when another driver retired, and I was available. I was already delivering, doing multiple stops for Wreaths previously and they assigned me to West Point and just left me there. You know, Miss Jackie doesn’t like her drivers to change much, and it’s just been perfect this way. When they asked for a second truck for the cemetery and the other driver retired that’s when Gary stepped in a few years later. It’s a pleasure to be involved with them. We’ve been doing it for so long now that we pretty much know what Miss Jackie wants, and we consider it our jobs to make sure she’s as stress-free as possible. You know, Jackie, Todd Crouter and the lady who runs the West Point Cemetery, Jennifer, she is a fantastic person to deal with and they all go out of their way to treat us like family” 2024 represented Mike’s ninth year and Gary’s seventh of transporting America’s respect to the cemetery at West Point.

Mike’s legacy of military service and sacrifice runs deep. “I have a son Matthew who was medically retired from the military,” Mike explained. “He was injured in Afghanistan, and he still suffers with a lot of problems. He’s one hundred percent disabled through the VA. He’s had a shoulder replaced and two back surgeries and he’s in pain most of the time from an IED (improvised explosive device) but there’s not much they can do for him now. His son is also named Matthew, and he serves in the Army reserves now.”

Thank you, Mike, Gary, and both Matthews for your service to our nation, and Perdue Transportation for your dedication to 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 Mike on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio and Wednesday at 8:30 AM EST as part of RadioNemo on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.”

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com