Walmart, WIT Take Part in Wreaths Across America Effort

Walmart driver and Women In Trucking member Cher Straw had the opportunity to participate in last month's Wreaths Across American effort, a convoy set up to deliver handmade wreaths to cemeteries across the country in honor of fallen soldiers.

Straw, who served in the Navy, participated in a ceremony in Houston, Texas, where she delivered the 20-inch live balsam wreaths to the Houston National Cemetery on Dec. 12.

"Walmart was honored to partner with Wreaths Across America and other local organizations to place memorial wreaths on the graves of U.S. military personnel and spouses buried in our national cemeteries," said Natalie Gandy, regional transportation manager, who attended the ceremony on behalf of Walmart's Private Fleet.

The event was organized by Wreaths Across America, which is a non-profit organization based in Harrington, Maine, and is an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project. The ceremonies were held in all 50 states and in several locations in Iraq as well as in 24 national cemeteries around the world. Many of the deliveries were coordinated through efforts of the trucking community, who volunteered their time and equipment for the event.

"We are especially proud that Cher Straw, herself a Navy veteran, was able to assist in transporting wreaths to the Houston National Cemetery," Gandy said. "She represents Walmart and the significant role that women play today in the trucking industry."