POLAND SPRING — Poland Spring Water Company has been selected as a 2014 participant in the Wreaths Across America truck caravan delivering 130,000 balsam wreaths from Maine to Washington, D.C. to lay on military graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

Harrison resident Scott Edwards, a 20-year Poland Spring employee, has been chosen as the driver. Edwards, a tanker driver with an astounding 1 million miles of safe driving under his belt, was in the news last month when he stopped and contributed the water in his tanker to firefighters who were battling an early morning house fire in New Gloucester.

“Poland Spring is honored to be chosen to take part in the Wreaths Across America caravan again this year. We’re particularly pleased to have Scott Edwards, a dedicated employee and community volunteer, represent all of Poland Spring’s 800 employees on the journey to Arlington National Ceremony,” said Tom Hathaway, transport manager for Poland Spring. “Scott is one of those people who puts the needs of others first, as was evidenced when he stopped at the fire scene in New Gloucester to offer assistance. He did the right thing that day, and jumped at the chance to give back again by driving the Poland Spring truck in the WAA caravan.” Poland Spring will pay Edwards his salary for the week he is on the road with WAA, according to Hathaway.

Edwards is no stranger to driving a truck for a good cause, having previously taken part in Maine Trucking 4 Kids Convoy, a fundraising event supporting Camp Sunshine.

Edwards will drive the special Poland Spring tractor-trailer containing wreaths as part of the 10-truck caravan traveling to Washington, D.C. He will be accompanied by his wife, Becky, when he travels to Harrington to pick up the wreaths the weekend of Dec. 6-7, and then by his 11-year-old son, Colin, for the remainder of the trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Teachers at Harrison Elementary School, where Colin is in the sixth grade, are working with him on a plan to document and share his once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In 2013, the company’s first year as a participant, Poland Spring customized and branded a 53-foot tractor-trailer to depict the partnership and mission of WAA and was chosen to be part of the official caravan to D.C. by WAA. “Poland Spring is one of our newer fleet partners. We’re excited to have them on board, supporting WAA in our mission to Remember, Honor & Teach about the services and sacrifices of our veterans, active military and their families, and we look forward to a long partnership,” said Karen Worcester, executive director.

The WAA caravan leaves Maine on Monday, Dec. 8, arriving in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13, this year’s National Wreath Laying Day.


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