Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, announced a wreath donation from McLeod Software. The provider of transportation management software for the trucking industry donated 301 wreaths, the remaining amount necessary to cover each headstone at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Hoover, Ala.
With nearly 800 WAA locations across the country and internationally, location leaders work to raise funds year-round to cover veterans’ headstones at local cemeteries. Having learned about WAA through their contacts in the trucking industry, Caroline Lyle, Director of Business Development at McLeod Software, wanted to know how her company could help locally. One of WAA’s longtime partners, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), put Lyle in contact with the WAA location leader in their area.
“Along with the donation, we are encouraging all 200 of our employees to attend the ceremony and bring their children,” said Lyle. “In addition to honoring the memory of the fallen, our youth need to understand the value of freedom in this country, which is the part of Wreaths Across America’s mission that we find most encouraging. We are proud to play a role in making that happen.”
Due to McLeod Software’s donation, this will be the first year that all 520 veterans’ headstones at Jefferson Memorial Gardens will receive a wreath. Location Leader and Alabama Gold Star Mother, Marynell Winslow, said, “I was so amazed when I got the email from the Wreaths Across America office that a Birmingham company had come forward with this huge contribution. This donation by McLeod Software is truly an act of patriotism and respect for these veterans. We are very grateful.”
