GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For many military veterans, once their service ends and their civilian life begins, the two worlds don’t often intersect. However, for the truck drivers selected to commandeer a series of special patriotically themed trucks at Schneider, military and civilian lives come together daily.
Schneider, one of Canada’s largest truckload carriers and an employer of thousands of associates with military experience, has been selected by truck manufacturer Freightliner to receive two new editions of the Ride for Pride, a truck series designed to be rolling tributes to members of the military – past and present. The new military-themed tractors, one Canadian and one American, join Schneider’s existing fleet of seven Ride of Pride trucks.
The theme for this year’s trucks is Military Past. The Canadian truck features imagery from the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, as well as 10 gravestones from Flanders Fields in France, representing the Canadian military’s first battle independent of the British Commonwealth. The Canadian flag and red poppies, internationally recognized symbols for remembrance of those lost in war, frame each side of the truck, along with the sayings “Lest We Forget,” and “Appuyons nos troupes” (French for “Support our troops”).
“This year’s Ride of Pride trucks are very special additions to our military-themed fleet,” said Rob Reich, vice president at Schneider. “They represent our longstanding commitment to honouring those who have served and hiring them into our ranks.”
The second edition Canadian Ride for Pride was unveiled on June 2 at Schneider’s Operating Center in Guelph, Ontario. The event included Schneider executives, Daimler Trucks North America representatives, members of the Canadian Veterans motorcycle unit and driver Darrell Esson.
Esson, a resident of Milton, Ontario, was selected in 2011 to drive the first-ever unit produced by Freightliner to honour Canadian military members. He will continue to serve as the Canadian Ride for Pride driver for the new tractor. Esson began his military career as an infantryman in the Canadian Army in 1984. He served 21 years and completed tours overseas, including Cypress, Kosovo and Afghanistan. Upon his retirement, he toured the United States on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was inspired to join Schneider as an over-the-road driver in 2006.
“Driving the Ride for Pride means a lot to me,” shared Esson. “People often slow down or come up to me at truck stops because they want to thank me or share their stories, and that’s because they feel a connection to the truck.”
The Canadian Ride for Pride is responsible both for hauling freight and representing Schneider at military-themed events throughout the year. The 2011 Canadian Ride for Pride will be commandeered by Schneider driver and Canadian military veteran Scott Harris.
Freightliner’s Ride of Pride tradition began more than 13 years ago when Ed Keeter, Freightliner shift manager and Vietnam War veteran, proposed the project as a way to honour current and prior members of the U.S. military. Freightliner previously presented Ride of Pride trucks to Schneider in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Schneider’s 2011 Canadian Ride for Pride was the first unit produced by Freightliner to honour Canadian military members.
To learn more about Schneider’s career opportunities and its commitment to those who have served in the military, visit http://www.schneiderjobs.com.
About Schneider
One of the largest truckload carriers in North America, Schneider has been the top choice of safety-minded drivers for 80 years. With over 75 percent of its drivers getting home weekly or better, Schneider provides professional opportunities that meet the work-life balance needs of today’s drivers and owner-operators. Schneider is a $3.9 billion (U.S.) company and is ranked a top-paying carrier by the National Transportation Institute. It has been nationally recognized for its support of current and former military personnel. For more information about Schneider career opportunities, visit http://www.SchneiderJobs.com. You can also connect with Schneider on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jobsatschneider or follow on Twitter @schneiderjobs.
