2025 Wreaths Across America – “Keep Moving Forward”

CLINTONVILLE, PA….  The theme for the 2025 Wreaths Across America (WAA)  campaign was “Keep Moving Forward.” According to their website,  the year-long mission for WWA (a national nonprofit) is  to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach our children the value of freedom.

This year’s theme was inspired by the last words of Captain Joshua Byers, United States Army, KIA, in Fallujah, Iraq, July 23, 2003.

In 2024, we learned about ten bouquets that make up a veteran’s wreath. WAA believes these ten attributes or characteristics define our nation’s servicemembers – a symbol of honor, respect and victory. This poem was initially written by the organization’s founder, Morrill Worcester, for Mary and Lloyd Byers, Gold Star parents of Capt. Byers. It is only fitting that the theme for 2025 should reflect this same spirit, a call to action for our volunteers and supporters in the communities they serve.

Joshua Byers was the Company Commander of Fox Troop in the 2/3ACR service in Iraq in 2003 when an IED struck his Humvee. As the smoke filled the air, Josh gave his driver a last command: “…keep moving forward.” Though Josh didn’t make it home, this command saved lives and became a battle cry for his unit and family. 

“There will always be challenges to overcome as individuals, communities and a country, but we must keep moving forward together,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. “This year, we will share not only the Byers’ story of resilience but also the stories of many others who continue to live with purpose every day and have chosen to keep moving forward.”

Professional Truck Driver Chuck Andrews, Owner-Operator of Harry Ball Trucking of Cleveland, Ohio  is a very proud member of the Wreaths Across America’s Honor Fleet. He’s been a part of the WAA Campaign for over 12 years, loading up his truck’s trailer with thousands of wreaths in Columbia, Maine and then delivering them to several states where volunteers will place the wreaths on graves of Veterans. Chuck Andrews donates his time, truck, fuel and all out-of-pocket expenses as part of WAA’s Honor Fleet.

Chuck Andrews and his “co-driver” dog, Lucy, aka Fluffy delivered wreaths to be placed on the graves of Veterans  on a very cold and snowy day on December 10, 2025, to Kenworth of Pennsylvania in Clintonville, Pennsylvania.  Employees of KW of PA quickly unloaded the many wreaths from Chuck’s trailer.  They also signed the banner on the front of his Kenworth truck.

On December 13, 2025, Volunteers placed over 300  wreaths on the graves of Veterans in the Clintonville Methodist Cemetery.

Chuck Andrews wanted to give a special thanks to Kenworth of Pennsylvania Clintonville General Manager Wade Calderwood for letting him bring his truck to their facility to transfer the wreaths to the WAA Clintonville Chapter and for the employees of KW of PA for unloading the wreaths.