Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc., recently launched a military appreciation campaign called True to the Troops with a ceremony held at the company’s headquarters in Joplin. The ceremony included the unveiling of two of the company’s tractor-trailers wrapped with images honoring and recognizing our nation’s military, according to Con-way.
Two Con-way Truckload professional drivers — Tomy Fox and Darrell Bogan, each a military veteran — were nominated and selected for the honor of driving the two new True to the Troops tractor-trailers throughout the U.S. during May, which is Military Appreciation Month.
The ceremony included a presentation of colors led by the Joplin ROTC color guard, remarks by featured speakers Joe Dagnese, president of Con-way Truckload; Joplin mayor Michael Seibert, who proclaimed May 1 “Con-way Truckload True to the Troops Day;” Lt. Col. Dean R. Somers, who addressed the need for quality training and career opportunities for veterans; and Joshua Landers, military advocate at Con-way Truckload.
“The values learned in service to our country align with the shared values we hold as an enterprise — safety, integrity, commitment, excellence — and complement our company’s purpose of strengthening communities and enriching lives by delivering the things that matter,” Dagnese said. “We recognize the value veterans bring to our team. We know they will be a positive addition to our culture. And today we reaffirm our commitment to be True to the Troops.”
The company said it has also put in place a number of hiring initiatives to assist veterans looking for a career in trucking, including:
• Priority hiring status to qualified soldiers participating in the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program.
• Participation in the U.S. Department of Labor National Apprenticeship Program, which permits eligible veterans and active members of the Guard and Reserve to receive paid on-the-job training using GI Bill benefits.
• Relationships with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and One-Stop Career Centers throughout the country, to help recently separated military personnel find the right job, program or opportunity to start or continue their training.
• Con-way Truckload’s Driver Certification program, where drivers with recent military driving experience and a CDL will have the opportunity to quickly transition to the experienced driver pay scale.
• Offering paid tuition and tuition reimbursement to those veterans looking to start a career in truck driving.
During the ceremony, Landers highlighted the company’s involvement with a range of military-focused organizations where the company provides pro bono transportation services. These include Wreaths Across America, delivering wreaths to be placed on headstones of fallen heroes in veteran cemeteries across the country; Holy Joe’s Cafe, a military charity that supplies thousands of pounds of donated coffee to military bases across the country; and most recently, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s The Wall that Heals.
“I’ve always been very proud of my military service,” Fox said. “Not only was I able to serve my country, but I learned valuable skills that have helped me in civilian life. I’m grateful to Con-way Truckload for the opportunities they provide for veterans like myself, and I’ll drive this beautiful truck with pride.”
