For 15 years, Classic Carriers has proudly participated in Wreaths Across America, a national initiative to honor veterans who gave everything for our freedom. Every December, we coordinate wreath deliveries and in recent years, coordinated volunteer efforts across Darke County to ensure these heroes are remembered, especially during the holidays.
This year marked our most significant effort yet. Our volunteers placed 1,108 wreaths across nine local cemeteries, contributing to approximately 3,500 wreaths laid throughout Darke County. But the real story is about community, sacrifice and honoring those who served.
How It All Started
Our journey with Wreaths Across America began with a simple mission. We’d travel to Maine, pick up wreaths, and deliver them to cemeteries in central Kentucky. One of our drivers volunteered for that route every single year, making it his personal commitment.
Then, four years ago, we received a call. Wreaths Across America needed help with an additional load at the last minute. The destination? Greenville, Ohio, just down the road from our Versailles headquarters.
“I was like, absolutely, we want to do this,” says Luke Subler, president of Classic Carriers, who works hard to coordinate Classic’s participation every year. That delivery to Greenville’s Union Cemetery sparked an idea. If Greenville could host this meaningful event, why couldn’t we bring it to Versailles?
Bringing Wreaths Across America to Versailles
Four years ago, we decided to make it happen. Luke connected with Debbie Nisonger, Chapter Regent of Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who guided us through the process of starting with Wreaths Across America. We learned that any local cemetery can participate with the right coordination and community support.
Luke made six phone calls in two days to local businesses, including fellow trucking companies in our area. Every single one immediately agreed to contribute. Within a month, we’d counted the military graves across three cemeteries, raised just under $8,000 in donations, and secured our first 700 wreaths for Versailles.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re competitors or not,” Luke explains. “Everybody comes together for the good of the community.”
That collaborative spirit made all the difference. What started with 700 wreaths and three cemeteries has grown to 1,108 wreaths across nine cemeteries this year: Greenlawn, St. Valbert, Holy Family, Brock, Yoder, English, Hoover, Christian and St. Peters cemeteries. Next year, North Star will join the effort, adding another 150 wreaths to honor even more veterans across Darke County.
The Logistics Behind the Mission
This year, we managed four truckloads from northern Maine, distributing them to sites around Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton and throughout our local area.
Our shop manager, Wes, and Luke’s father, Jim, led the ground efforts in Versailles, while Luke represented Classic at Arlington National Cemetery. Despite cold temperatures and snow, approximately a dozen Classic employees, their families and 58+ other volunteers participated. Working together, the team placed all 1,100 wreaths across seven local cemeteries in about an hour.
The opening ceremony at Greenlawn Cemetery drew 58 attendees despite the challenging weather. Jim Subler delivered the opening remarks, Jerry Bey from the American Legion spoke about the importance of remembrance and Father Ned Brown blessed both the wreaths and the volunteers.
A Journey to Arlington National Cemetery
This year, Luke had the opportunity to fulfill a long-held goal when he was asked to deliver wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, joining 67 other trucks making the journey to Washington, D.C. Luke brought his 6-year-old son with him to Pennsylvania, where they met one of our drivers who had picked up the load in Maine. Luke and his son then continued on to Arlington, and his wife and daughter joined them there. Arriving at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 13, they began unloading 3,864 wreaths.
“Going to Arlington when it’s that early in the morning, it really wasn’t even open yet,” Luke recalls. “It’s such a surreal place. The sheer magnitude of just looking as far as you can see in any direction, and all you see are grave sites. These are all veterans. It’s very, very humbling.”
The most memorable moment came on Friday evening as Luke waited with the other drivers. An older gentleman approached the truck.
“He just looks at me and says, ‘Thank you,’ and reaches up and shakes my hand. I said, ‘Well, we’re honored to be here.’ And he said, ‘No, you don’t understand. My son is buried a few rows behind your truck.'”
That father walked the entire line of trucks, personally thanking every driver. It was a powerful reminder of why this work matters so deeply to the families we serve.
By 10 a.m., all 3,864 wreaths from our trailer had been distributed. Classic was one of 67 trucks at Arlington that morning, collectively serving an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 volunteers who gathered to honor the fallen. Across the nation, Wreaths Across America placed 3.2 million wreaths at 5,800 participating sites.
Why This Matters to Classic Carriers
Wreaths Across America represents more than a volunteer service for Classic Carriers. Both of Luke’s grandfathers were veterans, and many of our team members are veterans themselves or participate to honor their own family members who served our country.
“Community is everything here in small-town America,” Luke says. “This is a great way for everyone to come together and really link arms and do something for the good of the entire community.”
The Wreaths Across America mission aligns closely with our company values: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach our children the value of freedom.
For everyone who volunteers, one moment stands out above all others. Before placing each wreath, volunteers kneel down, read the veteran’s name from their headstone and thank them for their service. Many of these graves haven’t been visited in decades, perhaps over a century.
“Until you’ve done it, you don’t understand,” Luke explains. “To thank them for their service, even though they may not have family here anymore, they may not have anybody that even recognizes they’re there anymore, but you have the opportunity to go out there, recognize them and thank them. It’s very, very humbling.”
Wreaths Across America 2026
Our preparations for 2026 are already well underway. Thanks to strong community support, we’re on track to be fully funded by week’s end. Next year will see continued growth as North Star joins our initiative, expanding our reach to honor even more veterans throughout Darke County.
“We take a lot of pride in it,” Luke says.
For Classic Carriers, Wreaths Across America exemplifies our core values as a company. Our commitment to community, our dedication to honoring those who served and our responsibility to do what’s right drive everything we do. Whether coordinating wreath deliveries from Maine, collaborating with our neighbors or representing our community at Arlington National Cemetery, we remain committed to this mission.