Both Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks have patriotic plans for the long Memorial Day weekend.
Mack Trucks employees will honor America’s fallen and missing military personnel during the 28th annual Rolling Thunder—Ride for Freedom rally, which takes place in Washington. Employees from the Mack Customer Center and Macungie Cab & Vehicle Assembly, both located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, will travel by truck and motorcycle to Hagerstown, MD, for a special memorial ceremony at Mack’s powertrain plant.
Following the ceremony, Hagerstown employees will join their colleagues as they continue to the capital and join thousands of other Ride for Freedom participants. A Mack Pinnacle Axle Forward Rawhide Edition was used as the basis for the tribute truck and features custom graphics celebrating each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, elements of the American flag and the motto, “A Beacon of Hope to All.”
Likewise, Volvo Trucks’ New River Valley (NRV) assembly plant in Dublin, VA, unveiled the design of its 2015 Ride for Freedom truck, which honors U.S. military service members. The memorial truck will accompany a motorcade of about 160 motorcycles from the plant to Washington during the Run for the Wall motorcycle rally.
For 24 years, NRV employees and the UAW Local 2069 Veteran Committee have participated in the event, designing and installing special graphics to salute America’s military heroes as part of the rally. The Run for the Wall rally pays tribute to those who have been captured or lost their lives while serving in America’s armed forces.
The graphics on this year’s Volvo VNL 670 salute all military service members and offer special recognition to those who served in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The truck features images of soldiers, military equipment and military dogs, with an eagle carrying an American flag. As in years past, the veteran’s committee focused on imagery that would provoke thought and reflection, educate the public and incorporate a healing aspect, Volvo says.