Bennett Delivers Wreaths to Honor Fallen Veterans at Andersonville National Cemetery

MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA (January 5, 2021) – The Bennett Family of Companies and the Taylor Family Foundation recently honored fallen veterans at Andersonville National Cemetery for the holiday season by laying over 10,971 wreaths during National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 19, 2020.

The week began with five Bennett drivers going to Columbia Falls, Maine to pick up wreaths from the Worcester Wreath Company, the founders of the Wreaths Across America organization. They joined truckers who delivered more than 2.2. million wreaths to 2,175 participating locations throughout the country, all committed to the mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.

After arriving at Bennett’s Home Office headquarters in McDonough, Georgia, the Bennett drivers, Mitch and Amanda Browning, Brett and Stephanie Taylor, and Johnathan Kreutzer were recognized as this year’s Wreaths Across America Rolling Ambassadors. Each driver received a commemorative medal during a special Convoy Rally held to recognize their service as volunteers.

Following the rally, employees gathered outside to show appreciation to the Ambassadors and those participating in the convoy by waving American flags. The trucks left McDonough, escorted by the Henry County Sheriff, the Henry County Police along with the Thunder Riders West H.O.G. Chapter through the backroads to Americus, Georgia, and finally stopping at Andersonville National Cemetery to unload.

In 2019, the Bennett Family of Companies and the Taylor Foundation were able to deliver 15,705 wreaths to the cemetery to cover 20,200 gravesites at Andersonville. This year’s fundraising efforts became more of a challenge due to the pandemic, however, with the support of Bennett employees, agents, drivers from across the country and the Henry County business community, it was a blessing to be able to continue to be a part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

“I was overwhelmed by the support of our drivers, our employees and the local community in helping the cause for Wreaths Across America especially during a rough year. I look forward to supporting Wreaths Across America next year with a goal of covering every gravesite at Andersonville with 20,200 wreaths,” said Lee Gentry, Executive Vice President of Bennett Family of Companies and Wreaths Across America captain.

The following morning, for National Wreaths Across America Day, a small ceremony was held that honored all veterans, and especially the fallen who are laid to rest at Andersonville.

Bennett’s Vice President of Marketing, Kris Rzepkowski, appeared alongside Andersonville National Cemetery Superintendent, Gia Wagner, to lead a ceremony that honored all veterans, and especially the fallen who are laid to rest at Andersonville.

It is estimated that over 100 Bennett employees and their families descended on Andersonville to begin laying wreaths on the gravesites along with local supporters. After each wreath was laid by people of all ages, and proper honor and tribute was paid to each soldier laid to rest there, the cemetery was left with a lasting image of respect and tribute to the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Watch the video below to see what it means for BME owner operator, Johnathan Kreutzer, to be a Wreaths Across America Rolling Ambassador for the Bennett Family of Companies.

About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at more than 1,600 cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information or to Sponsor a Wreath for 2021, please visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/GA0213.

About the Taylor Family Foundation
The Taylor Family Foundation is a private, family foundation established in 2012 by Marcia and her husband Mike Taylor. The foundation supports and provides grants geared towards family values, senior citizen care and community initiatives. The Taylor Family Foundation is a family endeavor. Their children and grandchildren join Marcia and Mike on the Board Committee. The goal of the Taylor family is to take a percentage of profits from their family business, the Bennett Family of Companies each quarter and put it towards funding honorable stewardships affecting communities nationwide. The Taylor family’s values embody their commitment to the Christian Faith, the preservation of family values, the support of children in need, quality healthcare, the value of education, and commitment to helping the elderly, women and children.