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 4,300 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics are 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 and Sirius XM, Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.

As with so many professional drivers, Lyle Turville is carrying on a family tradition. Lyle’s father was an owner-operator, so Lyle learned from his dad. “Basically, I just sat and watched until I was old enough to take the wheel,” Lyle chuckled. “That might have taken some convincing or maybe some nagging on my part, but I finally got him to let me have a shot and here I am today.”

In 1982, Lyle joined the Montana Air National Guard as a diesel mechanic. “After I got out of basic-training and tech school I went to work as a fuel truck mechanic for our jet airplanes. I was in there until ‘86 and then I was out for a bit. During that time, I had bought my first truck in ’83 and I was leased to Meadow Gold Dairies in Montana, and we ran bottled milk to the warehouses.” Lyle rejoined the Guard in 1989 but this time on the Army side. “I went in as a door gunner weapons specialist on the UH1. I was only going in for three years, but they extended me by six months because of the war. The people I worked with are friends to this day. Their commitments, in both units, were outstanding. Serving in the military also gave me some of the discipline I was lacking at the time. I was twenty-one years old when we went in.” Lyle’s father and uncle served in the Navy from ’50 to ’53 during Korea serving on the same ship. Another uncle served in the Air Force during Vietnam and Lyle’s also had brothers who served.

Lyle became aware of Wreaths Across America around ten years ago, but it was just last year that he got involved through Decker Truck Line, Inc. a family-owned trucking company. “When Steven called me and asked me if I wanted to do it, I said, yeah with absolutely no hesitation. They got a series of loads that put me out to Columbia Falls, Maine and I didn’t know what to expect. I’d never been to Maine before, but I was very pleasantly surprised by how your people treat everyone up there who arrives. You fed me breakfast and lunch before I loaded, and I understand it would have been dinner too. You have showers up there and a place to do laundry. You’ve got snacks and a line full of trucker hats plus you’ve got the information from over the years tacked up on the wall. I spent an hour to hour and a half just looking at that stuff. We ran down the street to get loaded and that was bing, bang, boom and we were out of there. That impressed me how quickly we were in and out.” Lyle served eight different participating Wreaths Across America locations in Iowa hauling veterans’ wreaths.

As the final step of the wreath-loading process, the dock workers attached a fresh, balsam-fir veteran’s remembrance wreath to the grill of the tractor signifying to members of the traveling public that trailer is filled with America’s respect. Members of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet have testified to the impact of that gesture and Lyle is no different. “After all the stops in Iowa, when I got back to Montana, I clipped the wreath off the grill of my truck and placed it between my father and uncle David’s grave in Great Falls. This is the load I’ll always remember.”

Lyle says he’d haul another load of veteran’s wreaths in a “heartbeat” but was also gracious enough to suggest that veteran or not, he’d step aside for another individual to be able to experience what he did by participating in Wreaths Across America.

Thank you, Lyle Turville, and Decker for all you do to support 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 Lyle 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 on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking Radio.

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com