Trucking Moves America Forward: Let's all tell our stories

When it comes to image, the Trucking Moves America Forward movement has three words.

"Educate, educate, educate."

TMAF Co-Chairman Kevin Burch encouraged those attending press day at MATS to go forth and tell their stories to promote the positive image of trucking and truckers.

"We need to talk about the people who have two hands on the wheel. It's long overdue," Burch told the assembled press and numerous truckers who attended the one-year anniversary of the launch of Trucking Moves America Forward.

Burch said TMAF is a movement and "not a campaign" because campaigns have a beginning and an end. He said people will be talking about TMAF for many years to come and that it has no end.

OOIDA Life Member Dick Pingel. OOIDA is a founding
member of Trucking Moves America Forward.
(Photo by David Tanner, Land Line Magazine)

The movement pulls together all facets of careers and job duties in and around trucking, from one-truck owner-operators like OOIDA Life Member Dick Pingel to fleet executives to shippers and receivers to truck stop and travel plaza personnel.

OOIDA is a founding member of Trucking Moves America Forward.

"Owner-operators are in it for the long haul, pardon the pun," Pingel said, moments after it was announced that OOIDA had made a generous donation to TMAF.

OOIDA Media Spokesperson Norita Taylor recognized at least a dozen OOIDA members who were in attendance for the event.

During its one year of operation since being unveiled at the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2014, Trucking Moves America Forward has exceeded its goal of raising $1 million in donations from all across the trucking industry. The movement has a goal of raising that every year for the next four years, and after that?

"Hopefully more than that," said Elizabeth Barna, vice president of public affairs with the American Trucking Associations.

Kevin Burch, co-chairman of Trucking Moves America Forward,
pays homage to the late Mike Pennington who always put forth
a positive image for trucking. (Photo by David Tanner)

Members of ATA's America's Road Team attended the event, including 28-year trucking veteran Don Logan who has 2.3 million safe miles.

"We've got to earn respect by being safe and reliable professionals," Logan said during his turn at the podium.

Each speaker asked the various representatives from across trucking to continue to promote the image of trucking and truckers to enable the industry to grow in a positive way.

"Image is at the leading edge of the Trucking Moves America Forward," said Keith Tuttle, president and chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association.

During the event, members of Trucking Moves America Forward also paid respects to the late Mike Pennington who, perhaps as much as anyone in trucking, always put forth a positive image and greeted everyone he met with a smile.

Unrepentant addict here

It's that time again. When I sit at my desk and stare out the window. Sick to death of winter. Even my layers are wearing layers. And it's so cold I can see the fence posts shivering. The horses are pissed at being stuck in their stalls. I tried to explain why they can't go out. Their responses are unprintable. Spring is coming. I know it. The Farmer's Almanac promised. I don't care that Punxatawny Phil bit the mayor's ear (although that sure was funny to watch).

Give me trucks. Shiny trucks. With new bling. Transformed in ways I hadn't seen or imagined. Gleaming brightly in the warm sunshine. I'd like to stroll the parking lot oohing and aahing and visiting with hundreds of old friends. Can't wait to make some new ones. Let me look under the hood and crawl under the trailer and see freshly painted and chromed parts. Or covers made of painted fiberglas or polished aluminum or some new space age polymer I've yet to admire. I want the details. How did you come up with this idea? Did you do this yourself or have someone craft it for you? And you get what kind of fuel economy with this sparkly ride? Those twin sticks actually grab gears for you? With your seats on the floor, how on earth do you manage to see through the windshield?

Let me straighten out the doubters. What do you mean when you imply these trucks don't work? Of course they do. In fact, if you had seen them just a few weeks ago, or even a few days ago, you wouldn't recognize them today. Then they were covered in snow or mud or dirt or salt or some chemical residue from road spray. And now here they are, dressed in their Spring finery. Better than a new Easter bonnet (remember those?!).

I'm a Show Truck Junkie. Not looking for a cure. Give me a fix.