In November and December, one of the busiest periods of the year for the transportation sector, the Wreaths Across America mission brings drivers together in an effort of unparalleled unity. With a positive, “can-do” work ethic, these professionals make it possible for Americans to honor millions of veterans laid to rest at home and overseas. In 2024, with over 4,909 participating locations, in addition to Arlington National Cemetery, transportation logistics were immense.

Many of these drivers are military veterans and say the truckload of fresh balsam-fir wreaths is the most precious cargo they transport in their careers. Wreaths Across America shares their stories in the “Trucking Tributes” feature online and on Wreaths Across America Radio.

T Dog Trucking is out of Wisconsin, and owner-operator Jeff Kepple runs three or four states primarily when he’s not hauling veterans’ wreaths. The name of his company was inspired by his late wife Tami, and she loved dogs. “I like to think of it as top dog kind of thing really,” Jeff shared with a chuckle. “I bought my first truck in ’97 and I knew since I was little, around 5 years old that I wanted a truck and just seeing them on the road and watching BJ & The Bear really inspired me, I think. The freedom keeps me going with it. I was joking with a friend of mine the other day who is retired, and he said, I’m retired, so I can do what I want’ and I said, ‘yeah, so do I and I’m not retired.” Jeff runs a flatbed and primarily hauls lumber.

Now if you’ve heard Wreaths Across America’s Director of Transportation, she explains the only thing they can’t load with boxes of veterans’ wreaths is a flatbed or tanker so you may be wondering how Jeff got involved as a member of the Honor Fleet.

“I honesty heard about it years ago on the Dave Nemo show and my wife and I tried for years to get involved but for whatever reason it just never worked out. Then I met and talked with you in 2024 at the truck show in Louisville and that’s when we got the ball rolling,” Jeff explained. “Last year was the first year I hauled for you. I went out a bought a van and they were happy to load that. I wanted to go to Wisconsin where I’m from, but I was still going to be involved no matter where I went, and I delivered to Illinois which was fine.”

Jeff also had a very personal story of involvement. “You know when you pick up the wreaths there in Maine, they put one on the front of your truck. When I was all done, I took that wreath to the cemetery where my wife is laid to rest in Northern Wisconsin. I’m the veteran of course, but she was buried there too, and when I die, I’ll be joining her there. I lost her two years ago. A wreath had already been placed on her grave, but I wanted to place one too, so she had two wreaths last year.”

Before trucking, Jeff first served our nation as an equipment operator with the U.S. Navy Seabees, and he joined when he was seventeen. “The reason I went in, to be honest with you, was to learn how to drive a truck, but I served for five years and learned a lot about operating other large equipment, and I use those skills every day. I wanted to serve my country. Ours is the greatest country in the world, so why not defend it?”

Jeff shared that getting involved with Wreaths Across America went well beyond his initial expectations. “It’s just a good feeling and such an honor to be able to give back to these men and women. If you’ve got the chance you need to do it.”

Thank you, Jeff, for your service and continued commitment to our veterans with the mission to remember, honor and teach.

If you’d like to join the Wreaths Across America Honor Fleet, you can get started with a click right here!

You can hear more with Jeff on Trucking Tributes, which can be listened to every Truckin’ Tuesday at 11:00 AM and again at 4:00 PM EST on Wreaths Across America Radio and Wednesday at 8:30 AM EST as part of RadioNemo on Sirius XM Channel 146, Road Dog Trucking.”

Discover the Trucking Tributes archive playlist on Soundcloud.com