Here at Fleet Equipment, we’re taking a break from our equipment-focused feature stories to reflect for a moment on all that is right and good in the trucking industry and the people who make it so. To be sure, there’s no drought of devastatingly depressing and divisive news flooding TV, Twitter and beyond, and it’s easy to get swept away in the flood of negativity. What’s not as easy, at least not for a pessimist (I prefer “realist”) like me, is remembering that there is a lot of good in the world. Plenty of examples of that can be found in our industry. Shell Rotella’s recently released Unsung profile of Wreaths Across America reminded me of that fact.
When Morrill Worcester, founder of Wreaths Across America, visited Arlington National Cemetery as a boy, it left a lasting mark; when he had a chance to make a difference, he took it. In 1992, his company’s surplus of 5,000 wreaths and his desire to have them placed at Arlington kicked off an annual tribute that went on quietly for more than 10 years. Today, wreath laying ceremonies take place in all 50 states at 700 participating locations. Morrill does it to remember, and it’s a lesson that we should never forget. Our industry, and the country, have a lot of great people coming together to do great things every day.
Take a moment to tune out all the failures, anger and problems of today and watch the video above. Then follow me over to the Unsung website to get lost in the archives of entertaining and inspirational tales of good, hard-working people. It’s a great reminder of the reasons why we do what we do and live where we live. It’s important to remember them from time to time.