Like everyone, Continental Express has a busy calendar come December. Holiday parties, end-of-year loads to cover, and—amongst Continental Express’ favorite holiday traditions—honoring National Wreaths Across America Day.
Since 2021, Continental has hauled a load of fresh evergreen wreaths from Columbia Falls, Maine (where Wreaths Across America is headquartered) to Ohio for local community organizations to lay on the gravesites of American servicemen and women. Each wreath, adorned with a red bow, honors a veteran who put their life on the line for everyone in the United States to have their freedoms.
In 2024, the load of wreaths Continental was assigned to deliver hit home more than ever before, with over 700 wreaths going to Graceland Cemetery in Sidney, Ohio. The Shelby County Historical Society spearheaded the effort of unloading the wreaths and placing them on the local veteran’s graves.
“Continental Express has called Shelby County home since its founding. Our roots are here, and it was very exciting to continue supporting the mission of Wreaths Across America, but this time in our backyard,” said Bradley Gottemoeller, Co-President of Continental Express.
Tilda Phlipot of the Shelby County Historical Society greets Continental Express Driver Frank Larger at the Graceland Cemetery Wreath Delivery
Each year that Continental has participated in Wreaths Across America, long-time driver Frank Larger has safely and proudly delivered the load. An army veteran and local resident himself, Larger, too was excited to give back to our community and honor hundreds of hometown heroes.
Larger, along with Continental leadership Bradley Gottemoeller and Kiera Sullivan, assisted the historical society in their unloading efforts and preparation to distribute the wreaths in a ceremony scheduled after the delivery.
