Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, this year May 31. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.
Freight Capital will be closed on Monday in honor of this day and we wish all our drivers of the road a safe holiday. However, we want to share news about an interesting event that is taking place and honors the service of our men and women in arms as well as acknowledges a number of veterans find jobs in transportation when they retire or opt out:
This year’s Ride of Pride Freightliner truck adorned by Hickory’s Transcal Graphics featuring a flying eagle honors those who serve in the military. The truck is destined to lead the Rolling Thunder procession on Memorial Day in Washington, D.C. and afterwards, it will cross America, making stops along the way at veterans hospitals, monuments, cemeteries, public events and veterans’ gatherings.
It is a rolling memorial, the eighth in a series started nine years ago by employees of Freightliner in Cleveland County. Rolling Thunder is a veterans organization advocating for the MIAs and POWs. The employees of the Freightliner forged the link with Ride of Pride headed by Ed Keeter, a Vietnam vet, as is his pal George Drexel who had a hand in detailing the truck. The lucky guy who gets to drive the truck on its cross-country journey is Mike Satterfield, a 17-year Freightliner employee and a veteran.
It takes a lot of people and companies to produce the special effects for the truck. The truck graphics are decals that are better than paint in case the truck gets damaged. Keeter and Drexel are going to Cargo Transporters of Claremont to attach U.S. flags to complete the truck’s look in time for Monday’s parade. Cargo Transporters won by a drawing the privilege of buying the truck when the tour is over. It’s good to know this triumphant eagle will be flying for a long time.
Freight Capital salutes the brave men and women who serve our country and applaud the individuals and companies who support the Ride to Pride Memorial tribute.
