ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations' Share the Road truck will set out on its annual trip to deliver handmade wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America Tour. The Share the Road Truck is being driven from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery by Share the Road Professional Truck Drivers Eddie Hosegood (XPO Logistics) and Jerry Charron (XPO Logistics).
"Each year, we are honored to have the Share the Road truck join the caravan of trucks delivering wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery where some of America's heroes are laid to rest," said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves. "Wreaths Across America is a powerful program that touches many people and we are honored to travel alongside many ATA member companies as part of this convoy."
Starting in Harrington, Maine and traveling to Arlington, Va., the Share the Road truck will be traveling as part of a procession of dozens of trucks from many motor carriers. The Arlington National Cemetery is the final stop of the journey, but is one of more than 900 veterans' cemeteries throughout the country that will receive more than 500,000 wreaths this holiday season.
The tour lasts from December 5 through 12 stopping at schools and communities along the way. During the stops, the public will have a chance to learn about the mission of Wreaths Across America and trucking safety. Additionally, Ann LePage, the First Lady of Maine, will be riding in the Share the Road truck for one leg of the tour.
Professional Drivers Eddie Hosegood and Jerry Charron first met during their military service as U.S. Marines when they were assigned to the same unit on a Western Pacific tour.
"The cargo we are hauling this week is the most precious cargo, to me," said Share the Road Professional Driver Eddie Hosegood (XPO Logistics). "I am honored to get the chance to volunteer for this trip and show my support for the fallen soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice."
"In the past we've seen overwhelming support from communities throughout this trip," said Share the Road Professional Driver Jerry Charron (XPO Logistics). "People taking the time to stand in the freezing rain just to wave at the trucks as we pass by really shows the respect and adoration Americans have for veterans. As Marines, we know that our country comes first and that's why Wreaths Across America means so much."
Hosegood and Charron are available for interviews throughout the trip and their progress can be followed on ATA's website, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks Inc. and Michelin North America Inc., and supported by TA-Petro, Pre-Pass, Hyundai Translead, OmniTracs, SmartDrive and Mack Leasing and Spireon. www.atastr.org. Follow the Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward
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SOURCE American Trucking Associations
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