As a veteran founded company, we deeply appreciate the sacrifices service men and women make to protect our country.
To show our gratitude and respect for veterans, we have partnered with Wreaths Across America, which is a nonprofit that coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 2,200 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad in order to remember and honor our country’s fallen soldiers during the holiday season. As Veterans Day and the holidays quickly approach, we are kicking off a round-up campaign through the end of the year to raise funds for Wreaths Across America in an effort to help them meet their goal of placing 2.2 million wreaths this holiday season.
“The holiday season is a special time to remember and recognize veterans for their sacrifice,” said James A. Haslam II, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of Pilot Company. “On behalf of our 28,000 team members, we sincerely thank the men and women who’ve selflessly served our country. We appreciate Wreaths Across America’s mission of remember, honor and teach and invite our guests to partner with us in support of their goal to lay a wreath on every hero’s grave.”
Over the years, we have been honored to support Wreaths Across America’s celebration of veterans in the trucking industry, recognizing and thanking the veteran professional drivers that transport the wreaths across the country for the annual holiday wreath-laying ceremonies. To hear more about our long-standing partnership, listen to an interview on Wreaths Across America Radio with our very own Wendy Hamilton, senior manager of operations and executive support for Pilot Company, who has been passionately involved with the organization since 2012.
The Wreath Across America’s Mobile Education Exhibit paid a visit on October 20, 2020 to one of our Pilot Travel Centers in Mebane, NC. We were honored to have them stop at our travel center and help fuel their journey as they educate the public on the nonprofit’s mission to remember, honor and teach. The exhibit is free and brings local communities and military together with education, stories, and interactive connections.
Now through Dec. 31, guests are invited to visit any of our 750 company-operated stores in the U.S., including participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers* and One9 Fuel Network stores, to round-up their purchases** to the nearest whole dollar and we will donate the additional amount to Wreaths Across America. In remembrance of our hometown heroes, we are donating $20,000 and contributing $20,000 from the round-up campaign to support the Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“It is partners like Pilot Company that continue to step up and amaze us with their generosity, not just with the financial support of sponsoring wreaths, but in their commitment to the veterans in the industry and in their communities that deserve recognition,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America. “This new round up program is beyond anything we could have expected or hoped for and we are grateful to Pilot Company and all the professional drivers and carriers that help us move the mission.”
To help Wreaths Across America reach their goal of placing more than 2.2 million wreaths for the holidays, visit one of our stores to donate or visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. All additional funds raised will support the organization’s global efforts, starting with the laying of wreaths at Arlington.
Stay tuned to learn about our week-long special offer for military veterans to celebrate Veterans Day.
