Five Good Things: Giving thanks to veterans and drivers who served
It’s a good idea to give thanks every day—and we’re into November now, the month specially set aside to do so. Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada are both on Nov. 11, in addition to Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 24. There's a lot coming up in trucking around Turkey Day and heading into the holiday season, so with this Five Good Things, we honor veterans in the industry, on the front lines, and back in their homes. To our heroes, FleetOwner salutes you and says thanks.
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OOIDA’s Truckers for Troops to launch week of Veterans Day
So many veterans have become truck drivers—an estimated 10% of all truckers have served, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And one trucking industry advocacy group is getting ready to launch its 16th care package campaign for those who drive and served America.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is gearing up to launch its annual campaign that benefits veterans and active-duty personnel, Truckers for Troops, the week of Nov. 7-Nov. 14—the same week as Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day north of the border. Both are Nov. 11.
Over the past 15 years, OOIDA has raised more than $729,000, sent more than 3,200 care packages, serving more than 39,252 members of the military. The organization has also sent aid packages to 65 different facilities caring for wounded, disabled, and homeless veterans, including the Veterans Community Project, OOIDA said.
During Truckers for Troops week, a broadcast is planned for each day on OOIDA’s Land Line Now satellite radio show on Sirius XM 146.
During that special week, truckers can join OOIDA or renew their memberships for $35, with 10% of that money going toward the care packages. OOIDA matches the 10% dollar for dollar. Individual tax-deductible contributions to the Truckers for Troops fund also are welcome and can be paid to the OOIDA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Truckers also can visit OOIDA’s tour truck, the Spirit of the American Trucker, during the campaign and sign up or renew their memberships.
To contribute, join or renew, call OOIDA’s main number, 816-229-5791.
OOIDA had other instructions. During business hours, let operators know you’re calling about the telethon and they will transfer you to Membership. After business hours, go to OOIDA.com and click on Become a Member. Also, after 5:30 p.m. central time, call the main number and press 1, which will put you in a voicemail where you can leave your name and phone number for membership to call you back. You can join online or make a direct donation at OOIDA’s website. OOIDA also has a page for direct donations or more information.
Also, anyone who has a family member or friend serving with the U.S. military who would like for them to receive a care package, send an email to a special OOIDA address with that person’s name and complete address. Be sure to include the projected stateside return date.
When sending cards and letters as part of the campaign’s address—Attention: Truckers for Troops, P.O. Box 1000, Grain Valley, MO 64029—towns or school names can be included, but please do not include last names or other personal information. All ages are welcome. Packages to active-duty military personnel go out in January or February. Veterans’ care packages are assembled and sent throughout the year.
TA announces monthlong initiatives to honor, benefit vets
Truck-stop operator TravelCenters of America is leading initiatives throughout November to honor all those who have served.
TA is teaming with diesel lubricant maker Mobil Delvac for the sixth year in a row to donate $50,000 to Folds of Honor, an organization providing educational scholarships for children and spouses of fallen or disabled U.S. military members and first responders. Together, the companies have donated $300,000 to Folds of Honor to date.
TA also is launching its Round Up campaign to support the Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF), an organization dedicated to helping spec-ops veterans with the transition to their next careers outside the military. All month, guests at participating TA, Petro, and TA Express locations can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the difference donated directly to SOTF.
“We are grateful to have the TravelCenters of America team so passionate about helping those who have served our country,” said Tommy Stoner, CEO of SOTF. “Because of the efforts of TA and Petro team members nationwide, we will be able to meet our goal of helping over 200 Special Operations veterans make the transition from their military careers to the next chapter of their lives. This support not only affects these very deserving veterans, but it also deeply impacts their families and the communities that they join.”
In addition to collaborating with SOTF to recruit and hire veterans, TA works with RecruitMilitary and the Transition Assistance Program of the U.S Labor Department to help connect with veterans looking to enter corporate careers after serving our country. TA regularly hosts events at military bases to showcase the job opportunities available at the company. TA is also a supporter of Wreaths Across America, an organization committed to placing wreaths on the graves of all veterans in national cemeteries across the country.
TA will also continue its tradition of inviting all active-duty military, veterans, and reservists to enjoy a complimentary meal on Veterans Day at company-owned quick-service and full-service restaurants nationwide.
“As a proud American company, we are honored to support those who have dedicated their lives for the freedom of others,” said Jon Pertchik, TA’s CEO. “Thank you to all who have served, including our many team members and the thousands of veterans who are now professional drivers and continue to dedicate their lives to keep our country strong.”
Love’s celebrates with Operation Homefront donation
Love’s Travel Stops will recognize those who have served in the military by offering them a food and drink deal on Veterans Day in addition to donating extending a $150,000 donation to the national nonprofit Operation Homefront.
The nonprofit’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive in the communities they’ve worked hard to protect, according to Love’s release. The donation will come from the sale at Love’s locations of special edition Operation Homefront tumblers, combined with a gift from the company.
“Veterans Day is a day for us to ‘pay it forward’ and say ‘thank you’ to all current and former military members,” said Jenny Love Meyer, chief culture officer and executive VP of Love’s. “We always enjoy finding new ways to support our veterans and Operation Homefront for the dedicated and impactful work they do.”
On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, all who have served or those currently serving in the military can get a free roller grill item and fountain drink with the purchase of one roller grill item at participating locations. A special edition, 24-ounce Operation Homefront tumbler also will be available for purchase throughout November, with $5 from each sale going directly to the organization while supplies last.
“Our military families need our support, now, more than ever, and we are so grateful to Love’s for their steadfast commitment to help us build strong, stable, and secure military families,” said retired Brig. Gen. Robert Thomas, the COO of Operation Homefront. “Veterans Day is the perfect time to show our military families that we are grateful for all they have done for our nation in its time of need and to work hard to be there for them in their time of need.”
Vote for America’s top rookie military veteran driver
In the spirit of honoring veterans and the cherished right to vote ahead of Election Day on Nov. 8, public voting is open for Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence, a program dedicated to finding America’s top rookie military veteran driver. The program recognizes top drivers who have made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.
The Driving for Excellence award-winning veteran driver will receive a new Kenworth T680 Next Generation 76-in. sleeper with a Paccar MX-13 engine, a TX-12 automated transmission, and DX-40 tandem rear axles.
Kenworth has again teamed with FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to support this recognition program, and for the seventh straight year, Kenworth is providing the top award, the T680 Next Gen.
The public is invited to cast votes online at the Transition Trucking website. Information is provided there about 11 semifinalists for the Transition Trucking contest with a short video on each driver. Voting runs through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and is an important determiner for the selection committee as they make their ultimate choices for the eventual award winner.
The nominees, their service branches, and companies are:
- Sean Adams, U.S. Navy, McElroy Truck Lines. Adams served 22 years as a Navy aircrew survival equipmentman.
- Jason Van Boxtel, U.S. Marines Corps, Veriha Trucking. Boxtel served as a motor transport mechanic in the Marine Corps.
- Paul Gouker, U.S. Army and National Guard, Stevens Transport. Gouker deployed multiple times in support of the War on Terrorism.
- Cale Jensen, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, G. Dubbels Farms Trucking. Jensen began his military career immediately after high school.
- Ashley Leiva, U.S. Army, Draco Energy/Noemi Trucking. Leiva served her country for 15 years as an Army combat veteran and retired in 2021.
- Dave Marihugh, U.S. Navy, Roehl Transport. After 25 years of Navy service Marihugh retired and became a Florida highway patrolman.
- Christopher McDowell, U.S. Army and National Guard, EPES Transport. McDowell joined the military in 2002 and is still a National Guard member.
- Joe K. Nyenatee, U.S. Army, Melton Truck Lines. Nyenatee was born in Yekepa, Liberia, during that country’s civil war. He moved to the U.S. at age 10.
- Talon Rogers, U.S. Army, CRST. Rogers joined the military because he wanted to serve his country, just like both of his grandfathers.
- Justin Silk, U.S. Army, Paschall Truck Lines. Silk learned about trucking at an early age from his cousin and uncles.
- Michael D. Thomas, U.S. Marines, Prime Inc. Thomas served his country in the Marines for more than 19 years and five more as a contractor.
Kenworth honored as top company for women
Kenworth on Nov. 2 was honored as a 2022 “Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation” by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT), marking the fifth straight year that Kenworth has received this recognition from WIT.
Nominated companies for the recognition possess a corporate culture that supports gender diversity; provide flexibility in hours and work requirements; offer competitive compensation and quality benefits, including training, continuing education, and development; and foster career advancement opportunities.
“Kenworth has made improving diversity and fostering inclusion a crucial business initiative working with Kenworth's Diversity and Inclusion Council and the Paccar Women’s Association,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth’s director of marketing and a member of PWA’s governance committee. “Kenworth promotes an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives and unique thinking are encouraged to develop the best ideas and deliver the best products to market.”
The WIT recognition “reflects the entire Kenworth team’s commitment to empower, encourage, and inspire women that will create, manufacture, operate, and service the second century of Kenworth’s industry-leading products and services,” said Zach Slaton, Kenworth’s diversity and inclusion council chair and Paccar embedded engineering assistant chief engineer.
Kenworth also fosters support for women through The Society of Women Engineers, which is geared toward the development, advancement, and support of women engineers. Kenworth’s SWE group brings the national SWE organization to Kenworth by networking at outside work events, community involvement through volunteering, and advancements through training and mentorship.
