As we enter Independence Day weekend, let's not forget all the Americans past and present who have made this nation what it is. And, of course, the trucking industry is front and center as it continues to carry the U.S. economy on its back—out of the pandemic and into the future. In that spirit, here are five good things that happened in trucking this week.
Dot Foods honors military veteran employees
Dot's Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG) held a Quilts of Valor event where quilts were presented to our Dot Foods and Dot Transportation, Inc. employees who are veterans.
The American Legion Honor Guard presented the Colors and Dick Tracy provided closing remarks. Quilts of Valor are made by volunteers and awarded to nominated service members and veterans.
“We’re proud of the Veterans at Dot and look forward to more events to honor their service,” the company stated.
Kenworth to donate T680 76-inch sleeper to top rookie veteran truck driver
Kenworth, FASTPORT and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes initiative are joining together for the sixth consecutive year to discover America’s top rookie military veteran driver, who has made the transition from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces to driving for a commercial fleet.
Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will again provide the top award—a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain featuring the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles.
“Kenworth’s ongoing participation in the Transition Trucking program is one way to recognize the importance of our veterans and thank them for their service,” said Laura Bloch, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “We urge trucking fleets to nominate their best rookie drivers who have served our country and encourage service members transitioning from the military to consider the trucking industry as their future career.”
To qualify, drivers must meet three eligibility requirements:
- Must have been active military or member of the National Guard or Reserve.
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
- First hired in a trucking position between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
Baton Rouge deputy receives stuffed animal delivery for local children
Southeastern Freight Lines is donating a 55-gallon drum full of stuffed animals and an empty 55-gallon drum for storage to aid a local police officer in his mission to comfort children he encounters while on the job.
“Some of the circumstances we see on the job can be intimidating or scary for children, so it’s nice to be able to have something to give them a sense of comfort,” said Deputy Corey Caillet with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office. “It’s amazing to see the solace one stuffed animal can give a child.”
Alyssa Chatelain, customer service administrator II at Southeastern’s Port Allen service center and Caillet’s friend of 20 years, trailblazed the company’s contribution to the toy drive and encouraged her own six-year-old daughter to donate.
The abundance of support from the community and Southeastern has inspired Caillet to explore turning his initiative into a nonprofit. “I’m always collecting stuffed animals,” said Caillet. “The smile on these kids’ faces it brings, it’s really something.”
Cummins delivers 10,000 COVID-19 kits to truckers in Mexico
Through a campaign called True Heroes Never Stop, Cummins Mexico and its distributors supplied more than 10,000 pandemic safety kits to heavy truck drivers across the country. The kits included a mask, antibacterial gel, and a safety information card.
"I think COVID has made us all think about what it means to be a hero,” Claudia Ramos, senior communication and events specialist at Cummins, said. “All over the world, truckers haul the goods and materials that keep us fed, our roads in repair, and our hospitals running—and this invaluable service didn't stop in the face of COVID. Cummins is proud to provide these heroes with kits to help them lower their risk of infection while they continue their vital work for all of us."
Cummins and partners will continue with this program this year from its San Luis Potosí plant.
"I'm pleased that Cummins is talking to the drivers [and] truckers as a group,” said Lucas Rodriguez, one of the drivers who received a COVID-19 kit. “We’re honestly very happy with what Cummins is offering today. Thank you for making contact with the drivers and giving us the chance to talk."
TCA reveals this month’s Highway Angels
The Truckload Carriers Association has named Trinidad Arebalo, Ray Dooley, and Paul Annen as the June recipients of the Highway Angels award.
Arebalo, from Crete, Illinois, is a professional truck driver with Nationwide Rail Services of Burr Ridge, Illinois. He received the Highway Angel award for rushing to the aid of a driver involved in a multiple-vehicle accident. Read his full story here.
Dooley, from Weatherford, Texas, is a professional truck driver with Hirschbach Motor Lines out of Dubuque, Iowa. He was awarded a Highway Angel for stopping to help a woman who had been abandoned in a remote area in the middle of the night. Read his full story here.
Annen, a Tampa, Florida-based professional truck driver with Melton Truck Lines of Tulsa, Oklahoma, became a Highway Angel for his actions to fight a truck fire while making a fuel stop. Read his full story here.
