Estes Express Lines is launching a patriotic initiative, Encourage the Living, Honor the Fallen, to support America’s military personnel. Estes is working with two support organizations – Give2TheTroops and Wreaths Across America – to implement the project that pays tribute to America’s military men and women in two distinct ways. The first component is designed to encourage active duty troops with care packages. The second honors fallen military service men and women by placing wreaths at gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery and other locations across the country.
Through Give2TheTroops, more than 13,000 Estes employees and their families nationwide will have the opportunity to donate items for care packages now through Dec. 2. Cards and coloring pages created by children of employees also will be sent. Give2TheTroops, a program recommended by the Department of Defense, will coordinate the packages and send them to U.S. service men and women deployed to combat and disaster-relief zones around the world.
For the second element of the campaign and as a tribute to all of the veterans who have given their lives to preserve our nation’s freedoms, Estes is supporting Wreaths Across America. Every December, the group coordinates the laying of hundreds of thousands of live evergreen holiday wreaths on gravesites to honor fallen veterans at more than 600 cemeteries nationwide. Estes has committed to delivering wreaths to select locations throughout the United States and also is donating wreaths in honor of its customers this holiday season. This year’s event occurs nationwide on Dec. 10.
“There is a longstanding history of military service and patriotism at Estes Express Lines, and we could think of no better way to commemorate the company’s 80th anniversary than by honoring our employees and all others who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom,” says Rob Estes, president and chief executive officer. “The Encourage the Living, Honor the Fallen project is an excellent way for us – as individuals and as a community – to show our appreciation.”
