Freightliner Presents Ride of Pride Trucks to Schneider and Cargo Transporters

Freightliner Trucks marked its 10th year of participation in the Rolling Thunder Ride of Pride program by presenting Schneider National and Cargo Transporters with new Freightliner Cascadia Ride of Pride trucks.

Now in its 10th year, the Ride of Pride program was initiated by Ed Keeter, a Vietnam War veteran and former shift manager at the Cleveland manufacturing plant as a way to recognize military veterans.

The Detroit DD15-equipped trucks feature custom graphics that show support for active duty personnel, veterans, POWs and their families. Developed by HPG Hyperformance Graphics in Hickory, N.C., the design creation was led by Keeter and features eye-catching images and logos honoring POWs, MIAs, the American Legion Honor Guard and all veterans.

"Ride of Pride symbolizes respect for and great pride in our servicemen and women, and our employees take a great amount of pride in building these trucks," says Michael McCurry, Cleveland plant manager for Freightliner Trucks.

The truck presented to Schneider National will join the company's nationwide fleet of more than 10,000 vehicles. The fleet already includes the 2007, 2008 and 2011 Ride of Pride trucks.

The truck presented to Claremont, N.C.-based Cargo Transporters will join the company's fleet of over 450 vehicles. Cargo Transporters' fleet also includes a Ride of Pride truck from 2010.

The trucks were presented during a special ceremony at the Freightliner Trucks Cleveland, N.C., manufacturing facility where the trucks were built.

Now in its 25th year, Rolling Thunder is a nonprofit organization with the mission of publicizing and educating the public about prisoners of war and those missing in action. Rolling Thunder provides financial aid, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans and their families. The organization also authors or advocates for legislation designed to improve the plights of prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.