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.

It’s a common story line in the trucking industry, that a young man gets into the trade after experiencing the business with a family member and that’s precisely how it started for Spencer Faivre, over thirty years ago. “My dad suggested that I could make decent money doing local deliveries for people so that’s how I started out,” Spencer shared. “I really think it was the independence I liked the most. Nobody was breathing down my neck, but it takes self-discipline.”

Over the years, local deliveries progressed into over-the-road driving for Spencer and eventually becoming and owner-operator under the name CS Faivre, Inc. Spencer is leased to Status Transportation out of Florida.

Spencer was initially a company driver for three different companies while his wife Carey was taking care of their daughter. Once their daughter was married and out of the house, she decided it was time to join Spencer on the road. “I could never go with him before and we just weren’t getting enough time together,” Carey shared. “Once our daughter was married, we decided to sell everything and that’s how I got my toes wet in trucking. We started going across the country together.” Carey admits to developing some “back-seat” driving habits but was content handling the business end of CS Faivre, Inc. “I got behind the wheel once, but that just wasn’t for me, so Spencer does all that hard work. The people on the road now are just a little too much for me, in my opinion. I get a little antsy over in the passenger seat and my foot’s on the floor as I do a little driving on that side of the truck. I do the paperwork, and it was definitely eye-opening for me learning the back end of it all and dealing with the dispatchers and receivers. I’ll admit it’s a nice office view, and we have friends and family asking to come with us all the time!”

Both Spencer and Carey have a rich family legacy of military service. “Some have been to war, and some have not,” Spencer explains, “But it’s something to be proud of for sure.”

Spencer initially heard about Wreaths Across America on Road Dog Trucking. “I was a company driver at the time, just doing my job and listening to the radio, but I always thought it we be something we’d be honored to do.” Carey explained she was thumbing through Landline magazine and saw something about it and reminded Spencer about the opportunity. “We decided in 2024 that would be our charity.”

They were not deterred by a couple of snowstorms on their way to Maine to pick up their load of veterans’ wreaths. Carey explained they were not exactly sure if they were in the right place initially, as many drivers have admitted traveling for the first time to Columbia Falls, Maine, but it didn’t take long for them to realize they had arrived. “It was snowing and dark going up that little road, but all of a sudden, we saw that beautiful American flag blowing for all she was worth. It was just beautiful.” Both Carey and Spencer said they were struck by the welcome and hospitality they received at the driver’s check-in lounge. “The camaraderie among all the drivers and volunteers was just amazing. They had everything for us we could need from showers to food.”

Carey said the process of getting signed up and coordinated to become official members of the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet was quick and simple, and they both praised Status Transportation for its flexibility as well making it possible for them to participate, getting the load of veterans’ wreaths to South Carolina and then back home.

Thank you, Carey, Spencer, and Status 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 Carey and Spencer 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