Every year, Mohawk partners with Wreaths Across America (WAA), a non-profit organization dedicated to decorating veterans’ graves for the holiday season at cemeteries all across the United States and overseas.
“With one in five Mohawk truck drivers being veterans, this is an especially personal mission for us,” said Andy Yearout, VP of Transportation and Logistics. “It’s a small way that we can recognize the sacrifices of our country’s military members and their families.”
This past month was our fifth year partnering with WAA, and we were chosen for a very special stop: Arlington National Cemetery.
“We are truly humbled to be a part of this effort and to play a small role in honoring the brave men and women laid to rest in these places, including now in Arlington, where the WAA story first began,” said Micah Riggle, Sr. Director of HR for Supply Chain. “It’s a profound reminder of the value of freedom and the impact of community.”
This year, five of Mohawk’s over-the-road driver teams and two individual drivers lead the wreath pick-ups and deliveries, hitting Arlington, Dallas-Fort Worth, Knoxville and Chattanooga. The teams include Ron andLea Eppich, Bobby Patterson and Lester Moore, Mike Miller and Greg Tanner, Joe Sims and Dwight Davis, and Jose Andrade and Stanley Clay, and the individual drivers are Lynn Wyatt and Bradford Itley.
Ron and Lea Eppich are a husband-and-wife truck driving team and Gold Star family who made the memorable trip from Maine to Arlington. This trip held special meaning for Ron and Lea, as they were able to pay tribute to their son, Sgt. Robert Eppich, who served nearly eight years in the Army, and Isiah Mays, who was born into slavery and received a Medal of Honor in 1890 but was not interred into Arlington till 2006. Ron and Lea wanted to honor both their son and Isiah Mays, whose story they feared could have been lost to history. Click here to learn more about their story.
“This is our way of including our son and all the veterans because this is the time of year we miss our son and all of them the most,” said Lea.
“Mohawk’s involvement with Wreaths Across America has evolved into an annual tradition which has become a standout moment for our employees and community,” said Andy. “We look forward to this every year as a chance to remember and honor the best and bravest among us.”
