Harvard Jones

Harvard Jones has been involved with Wreaths Across America for about 15 years. What started as riding motorcycles to participate eventually grew into leading a convoy of nearly 100 Jeeps to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, where volunteers place 1,500–2,000 grave-specific wreaths each year.

Over the years, Harvard has met many families whose loved ones are buried there—some who are unable to place a wreath themselves. Being able to honor those veterans on behalf of their families is what keeps him coming back year after year.

In 2022, after a conversation with members of the Tampa Mopar Society about raising funds and awareness, Harvard created the idea for Wheels for Wreaths. In its very first Jeep & Mopar show, the team raised nearly $18,000, sponsoring 1,500+ wreaths for veterans at Florida National Cemetery.

Thanks to Harvard’s vision and leadership, Wheels for Wreaths continues working toward the goal of 100% wreath coverage at Bushnell by 2026.

Shawn LeMaitre is a proud 6-year veteran of the United States Air Force and an important member of the Wheels for Wreaths team.

For the past 13 years, Shawn has participated in Wreaths Across America, helping place grave-specific wreaths at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell to remember and honor our nation’s veterans. The mission is deeply personal to him, and he believes every fallen brother and sister in arms deserves to be remembered.

In 2022, Shawn joined forces with founder Harvard Jones and a group of dedicated volunteers to help close the gap of the 130,000+ graves that were not receiving wreaths. Together, they helped build what is now Wheels for Wreaths.

Since then, Shawn has helped support events like the annual Jeep, car, and Motorcycle show, which raises money to sponsor wreaths for veterans at Florida National Cemetery.

Together, our team is working toward the goal of placing a wreath on every veteran’s grave at Bushnell.

. I have been participating in Wreaths Across America Since 2013. I first heard about it when my oldest son Austin was in JROTC in high School. We would go every year with his JROTC class to place the wreaths. When we moved to Florida in 2018, we joined TJK for the grave specific wreath laying. This is where we met Harvard for the first time. 

When Harvard asked me to be a part of Wheels For Wreaths, I jumped at the chance. Not only to help out my friend but this is a wonderful cause, and I was honored to be a part of it. Placing wreaths now holds an even more special place in my heart, my father-in-law is now resting at the National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. 

We are now starting our second year with Wheels for Wreaths and I am so excited to see what this year brings with the overwhelming love and support we got last year.  

My family and I originally started with Wreaths Across American when our oldest son was a member of his High School JROTC as a Freshman in 2013. In the state of Georgia at that time, all JROTC classes laid every Wreath at the Canton National Cemetery. After he graduated High School in 2017 and joined the Army, my wife Shannon and I re-located to the Central Florida area and were taken in by the Jeepers that helped lay grave specific wreaths at the Bushnell Nation Cemetery. At that time, this is where we met Havard Jones and since have had the honor and privilege of being asked to join this great team. Since moving back to Florida, Wreaths Across America has taken on a most special meaning to me and my family, as my father was laid to rest at the Canton National Cemetery where we started our journey. Over the last 10 years, it has been my absolute privilege to be able to give back just a little for the Veterans that gave so much to each of us.

 . I am the Founder and President of Tampa Mopar Society. I have been involved doing fundraisers, LEO parades and  Military Escorts all over the State of Florida with our awesome Mopars. I was fortunate enough a little over a year ago to be invited to a Wreaths Across America event in Bushnell by Harvard. We showed up and once we concluded that event I told Harvard let’s do a fundraiser.
 

Well his team and a few Jeepers ran with it and the event to date raised the most funds for an event I have ever attended. Looking forward to round 2. October 19, 2024.  

 Chris Lee is a proud member of the Wheels for Wreaths team and an active part of the Jeep community that helps support our mission.

Chris first began participating in Wreaths Across America at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell in 2017, the same year he purchased his Jeep.  His connection to the cemetery is deeply personal, as his father is laid to rest there. At the time, he wasn’t even aware of the wreath-laying tradition, but once he experienced it, the mission quickly became meaningful to him.

Being part of the Jeep community has brought Chris more than just a hobby. While Jeep owners often talk about the modifications they’ve made to their vehicles, Chris says the best “modification” he’s gained is the friendships and family that come with the community. One of those families he’s proud to be part of is Wheels for Wreaths.

Over the past years, Chris and the team have worked together to raise funds for remembrance wreaths at Bushnell. Their first event raised an incredible amount, helping sponsor thousands of wreaths for our nation’s heroes.

 Ashley Swift serves as the Community Outreach Director for Wheels for Wreaths and is passionate about helping grow awareness and support for our mission.  In her role, Ashley focuses on connecting with the local community, spreading the word about Wheels for Wreaths, and building relationships with sponsors who help make it possible to honor our nation’s veterans.  Since 2021, Ashley has personally been participating in Wreaths Across America at Florida National Cemetery, where her great-grandparents are laid to rest. Because of that personal connection, the mission holds a very special place in her heart.  She is proud to help ensure that every veteran is remembered and honored, and to work alongside an incredible team dedicated to expanding the impact of Wheels for Wreaths. 

Dalton Jones has been part of the Wheels for Wreaths team since 2024, helping expand our reach and connect with more of the community.

He began participating in Wreaths Across America in 2019, and his connection to the mission is both personal and meaningful. While Dalton did not serve himself, he has family members who served in the Army and Navy, and he also honors the memory of a close friend laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

For Dalton, this mission is simple but powerful—it's a way to give back to those who gave everything.

Within Wheels for Wreaths, Dalton helps with group-to-group outreach and media, playing a key role in spreading awareness and growing support for the mission.

Whether he’s in the convoy in his Jeep or driving down the road in his BMW, Dalton is always proud to support the mission of honoring our veterans.

Melissa Tollar Smith is a valued member of the Wheels for Wreaths team, joining officially this year after already playing an important role behind the scenes.

Since the very beginning, Melissa and her husband have helped lead the convoy to Florida National Cemetery, making them a key part of the tradition that brings our community together to honor our veterans.

This mission is deeply personal to Melissa, as she has many family members and friends laid to rest at the cemetery. Being part of something that honors them—and all who have served—means more than words can express.

In her current role, Melissa helps bring in vendors for our events and spread awareness about our mission, playing an important part in growing the impact of Wheels for Wreaths.

Nicole Dean is a proud 10-year veteran of the United States Army and one of the newest members of the Wheels for Wreaths team.

Nicole has been participating in Wreaths Across America for over 10 years, helping honor and remember our nation’s veterans by placing wreaths at their final resting places. Her continued dedication to this mission reflects her deep respect for those who have served.

This year, Nicole officially joined Wheels for Wreaths, bringing both her military background and years of experience with the wreath-laying mission to the team. Her passion and commitment help strengthen our goal of ensuring that no veteran is forgotten.