As Veterans Day nears, Americans are remembering the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, or who went off to war and returned forever changed.
After all, the scars of war run deep.
But not all who serve go to war. Those who serve U.S. interests stateside still feel a tremendous call to duty, however, even without battle scars haunting their days.
Drive My Way’s driver recruiting consultant, Kevin Garner, is among the Army soldiers who never went to war. But the U.S. Army veteran still stands strongly for the U.S. Army motto, “This We’ll Defend,” 12 years after his service ended.
“There’s a lot more to the military than going overseas and fighting,” Garner says. “There are life experiences, traveling, meeting incredible people and developing your skills. The military has the opportunity to teach you just about whatever you want to learn.”
In the eight years Garner served in the Army, he learned a lot. He enlisted as a finance specialist. For more than two years, his key responsibilities centered on finance and human resources. He then spent the last five-and-a-half years of his Army service in recruiting.
“I built rapport with people in the community, focusing a lot on relationship building, whether it was at 
colleges, the town hall or high schools,” he says. “High schools were big because the majority of people enlisting are doing so right out of high school.”
Take Garner himself, who enlisted in the Army at age 18.
He sought to pay for his college education and see a bit of the world.
And see the world he did, spending two years in South Korea before returning to the United States.
Garner still cherishes his Army experience, despite its challenges.
“The thing about the military is that you have some things you’re incredibly proud of and other things that were really tough,” Garner says. “Whether it’s being lonely or being away from your family for long stretches, it’s a life-changing experience for everyone that joins, no matter how independent you are.”
Yet the Army bestowed on Garner much more than it took from him.
“The Army’s given me many skills,” he says. “It’s given me great friendships that have lasted to this day. And it’s given me leadership skills that set me up for a lifetime of success.”
More than 60 percent of CDL truck drivers are called to serve in the military, just as they’re called to the road. Thank you for your service, veterans. Follow us on Facebook today and become part of our family of truckers who are military vets.
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With Veterans Day on the horizon, those with owner operator trucking jobs are showing their support for American service men and women overseas. And they’re doing it in the most meaningful of ways.
While Americans are gearing up for Halloween with jack-o-lanterns on their doorsteps, one truck driving couple has taken Halloween to the highway.
The Conways’ truck is a conspicuous sight on the road, to be sure.
“Putting something on the front of the truck is always our thing,” Cammy Ann says. “We do shamrocks at St. Patrick’s Day, pumpkins at Thanksgiving. People always honk and wave. To see their reactions is always fun.”
Tell us about this umbrella shot.
This is my friend’s kid.
The cross was on a back Texas road.
The $20.2 million NY welcome center on the Long Island Expressway in New York between exits 51 and 52 is set to open as early as this week, state officials said, providing a stop for motorists—but 
Where was this taken?
What is it about this picture?
Duering has been behind the event since it launched in the state 13 years ago.
Nebraska,” says Katie Kellar, director of development for Special Olympics Nebraska. “The funds raised from the event help to provide sports and leadership opportunities for athletes throughout the state.”
In the contests, truck drivers and athletes go head-to-head. “The athletes always win, we make sure of that,” Duering says.
Special Olympics. Truck driver Reuben Dupsky donated a toy truck with a $45 value for the auction one year, then ended up paying $90 for it in the auction. In the end, he gave it to one of the athletes, who beamed upon receiving it.
Indeed, for those with CDL trucking jobs, seeing the smiles on the athletes’ faces is always the highlight of the event. Drivers engage the athletes at every turn, whether they’re playing softball with them or letting them honk the horn during the convoy. In fact, many drive with the same athletes year after year, forming a long-term bond.
