Career Tech, Central Tech Truck Driving School, and Freymiller itself, is dedicated to transforming the lives of former felons by training them to excel as professional truck drivers.

The roots of this initiative trace back to when Betsy Waldrop took on the role of Recruiting and Training Director at Freymiller. Just a couple of months into her new position, President and CEO David Freymiller proposed the idea of a second chance program. With the company having relocated to Oklahoma City in 1994 and experienced significant support from the community, it seemed like the right time to give back.

“Honestly, it scared me. It felt like such a big task and I didn’t know where to begin,” shares Waldrop about the initial proposal. “I sat on it for a couple of days worrying about it.”

The very next weekend, a television segment featuring Kris Steele, a former Speaker of the House in Oklahoma, inspired Waldrop. Steele discussed an organization focused on using education and training to break the cycle of incarceration. Motivated by his insights, Waldrop connected with Steele, setting the wheels in motion for what would become a groundbreaking partnership.

“He got me in touch with the right people I needed to talk to and I had meetings scheduled within a week,” she recounts.

The program’s inception was met with challenges. John Thorpe, Director of Central Tech Truck Driving School, recalls previous attempts to launch similar initiatives. “We just hit a lot of roadblocks,” Thorpe explains. “We tried to work with the ODOC for two or three years and could never make it happen.”

However, the involvement of Freymiller marked a turning point. “Freymiller’s involvement changed everything. When you have a company like Freymiller who will back and hire these people right when they get out of prison, it is invaluable,” asserts Thorpe. “This is a partnership like no other in the industry. It’s taken us four years to master this program and we’re proud of what we’re doing here.”

Traditionally, many trucking companies hesitate to hire individuals with recent convictions. Freymiller’s approach is distinctive, offering opportunities to those freshly released from Oklahoma prisons. The rigorous vetting process ensures that candidates are well-suited to the program’s demands.

“We’re in the business of changing lives,” states Waldrop. “These drivers are breaking the cycle.”

– A few who have graduated from the Freymiller Second Chance Program. Barrett Davidson, Career Tech, 2nd from the right, John Thorpe, Central Vo-Tech far right.

The program commenced with a pilot class of six probationary individuals. Through collaboration among Waldrop, Thorpe, and Barrett Richardson, Career Tech’s Project Manager, the team refined the selection process and identified the ideal candidates.

“Throughout this process, we’ve learned how to pick the right people,” notes Thorpe. “We’ve also found interviewing them together really helps because these students are able to understand the expectations of the school and Freymiller.”

Richardson spearheads the initial vetting process, relying on a network of probation officers and counselors for referrals. Occasionally, candidates learn of the program through word-of-mouth.

“I’ve kept this program a little close to my vest because I didn’t want to get overwhelmed. We can only train so many people per fiscal year,” Richardson explains. “We also want to make sure these people understand what the process entails and are willing to work hard to make it happen.”

The process takes time, as many incarcerated individuals need to regain their driver’s licenses. Richardson and his team assist them with gathering all necessary documents, though it can take months to complete the steps required for a driver’s exam.

“A lot of these guys are on work release status and save a portion of their money for when they get out,” Richardson elaborates. “We have to identify potential students who actually have the means to be able to gather all the documents they need and who are financially able to get these first steps going.”

Richardson emphasizes selecting candidates committed to sobriety and demonstrating maturity. “The number one thing is we’re choosing people who will be safe,” he adds. “We also look for individuals who show a high level of maturity. People who are ready to close this chapter of their lives and make something of themselves.”

The meticulous vetting process takes several months, providing ample opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their readiness. Waldrop, Thorpe, and Richardson all agree that this is a second chance program – there’s no room for third chances.

Once accepted, candidates undergo an intensive 28-day training program at Central Tech, learning alongside traditional students. “From the very beginning, we’re all about protecting these students. We always stress to them this new beginning starts with a clean slate,” Waldrop explains. “We don’t go around telling people these are second chance students – they’re just another student like everyone else. When they get to Freymiller, it’s the same thing. Outside of a handful of people, no one knows their story.”

They have also expanded to include classes specifically for women, and have already hired some of those graduates to work for the company.

“Even though drivers may not always end up at Freymiller, our main goal was always to give back to the state and provide employment for these individuals. As long as they are gainfully employed we’ve done our part.” Waldrop emphasizes. “This program is changing lives.”

“The majority of people in the prison system today will be out in 3-5 years. They’re coming back to our communities. They have to have a job which pays enough to pay rent and build a future,” says Richardson. “With this second chance program with Freymiller, these guys can be making $70-$90k a year or more. It’s a career. It’s life changing money.”

“A lot of the men and women we’ve trained through this program, they’re good people who just messed up and got caught,” Thorpe adds. “I’ll admit I was a skeptic. Now since I’ve seen what it’s done for people, it’s one of the best things we’ve done at our school. I think once other states see what we’ve done here, you’re going to see a lot more of it too.”

This program wouldn’t exist without Freymiller’s dedication and vision. “It makes us feel really good to hear and know all the years of work was worth it,” Waldrop reflects. “We’re glad we can make a positive impact on the state of Oklahoma and have others see what we do. I’ve been in this industry for 20 years and this is the most fulfilling project I’ve ever worked on.”

To those considering similar initiatives, Waldrop offers a note of caution and encouragement. “We kept this under wraps for quite a while because we wanted to make sure this really worked,” she says. “This is an incredible way to bring good drivers into your fleet. Even more, it gives these individuals a way out and the opportunity to change their lives. They’re getting married, buying houses, saving for retirement and finally feel like they have hope for the future.”

The post Freymiller’s Second Chance Program Sets the Standard for Fair Chance Hiring in Trucking appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In 2014, Ralph “Rowdy” Butler Jr. made a decision that would forever change his life.

He had heard about Wreaths Across America and the work they do, and he was intrigued. A veteran himself, serving in both the Air Force and the Army, he wanted to help. That year, he asked David Freymiller if he could participate, and his answer was a resounding “yes.” He was given his choice of routes and he chose Oklahoma. Why this route? Well, according to Butler, this choice was because, “I’m a seasoned driver, but the fact of the matter is that I hate snow.”

As luck would have it, 2014 was an extra special year for the organization. It was the first year that Wreaths Across America was able to cover every single gravesite in Arlington.

Before embarking on that first journey, Butler found himself imagining what the experience would be like. He wondered what it would be like to make that journey, how it would feel to lay wreaths on those graves. A lifetime writer by nature, he put pen to paper and wrote a poem about what he thought the experience would be like. Of this poem, he said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but how I imagined it would be through these words was pretty spot on.”

Below is the poem Butler wrote before that first ride.

The Silence of a Fallen Tear
By SSGT Ralph “Rowdy” Lee Butler Jr.

Have you ever
Heard his voice
Or do you even
Know his name
As I leave a wreath
At the cross
Where he lays
For I myself
I did not know
Anything
About this man
That lays here
Beneath my feet
As I read his name
For the very first time
As I hear
Something
That is so unique
From a voice
Like no other
That touches the heart
And the soul
In so many ways
As he whispers
Unto me
Saying
Thank you
For remembering me
On this day
With a wreath
From across America
To where I lay
And I know
Without a doubt
That you yourself
Will carry
A thousand more
That will come
To a rest
Somewhere
Along the way
From a journey
Like no other
That will cross
The USA
Honoring those
That had fallen
That you
Will never forget
As you read
The very names
Of my brothers
Along the way
And because of that
You will never
Forget this day
From the silence
Of a whisper
And to the fall
Of a broken tear
That no one else
Will ever see
Or ever hear
That says
Thank you
My brother
Thank you
My friend
For such an honor
As you lay the wreath
At the grave
Of my brother
With honor
And respect
As I leave with you
The very journey
Of a broken tear
That will come
From the silence
Of a fallen Vet…
Where the wreath itself
Will come to rest…
In the silence
Of a fallen tear
With honor
And respect…

Butler has driven wreaths many times since that first ride, feeling called to honor these fallen soldiers and the families who loved them.

Butler has been trucking for nearly 30 years on and off and has been with Freymiller long enough at this point to have accumulated more than a million miles with the company, so it’s safe to say he’s no stranger to the road, but working with Wreaths Across America quicky became very special to him.

“The stories are unbelievable and the journeys are never the same,” he said. “And there is always something special about the journey itself.”

A quick chat with this driver reveals this to be more than true as he shares just a few of the special moments he’s experienced doing this work.

He shared with us the story of his encounter with Jerry Newman a retired first sergeant. Newman had come across one of Butler’s posts which talked about the mission of Wreaths Across America and shared his personal itinerary for National Wreath Day, which included a stop at Ft. Riley, Kansas. The two exchanged a few messages and as Newman learned what this all meant, he asked Butler who refers to in a writing as the ‘trucker stranger’ if while at Fr Riley, he might render a short salute in honor of his only son, who is buried in that cemetery. Due to failing health, he had not been able to visit his son’s grave in nearly four years, and this small kindness would mean the world to him.

Butler told Newman he would do better than that. He promised this stranger he would seek out his son’s grave, salute him personally, and leave a memento of their visit. He did just that, leaving a challenge coin and sending a picture to a very grateful father. He has been back to this grave every year since, even since the passing of the soldier’s parents.

“I go back there every year, and I keep a father’s promise,” said Butler.

He recalled some special experiences at this particular grave over the years. Once as they were visiting, he remembers looking at the flag flying at the cemetery. It was a windless day and the flag hung limp on its post. He said to those he was with,  “The only ting that would make this better is if Old Glory was waving.” In that moment without a hint of breeze in the air, the flag began to wave. On another occasion, a bald eagle flew over during their visit.

Each year, Butler takes a week and a half off work to enjoy the journey. He admits this puts him in a financial bind but wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Those little things like the eagle or the flag waving at you make it so worth it,” he says.

Butler has several incredible tales of the journey, and for most, he has a corresponding poem, each eloquently written and deeply moving.

In other stories he talked of driving over 100 miles out of his way to ensure a specific soldier’s grave received a wreath. He spoke of the time he arrived in Saint Louis with his manifest short two people who were on it when he left. He met the son of one of the men who had disappeared from his list. After trying to figure out what was going on, he told the man to put the wreath on his truck and he would personally ensure the wreath made it to his father’s grave.

In another tale from the journey, he spoke of a time in Wingfield, Kansas when a veteran’s urn was being delivered on the day he was there. This particular vet had no close friends and no family nearby. There were only two people there to attend the service. Without hesitation, Butler made the decision to stay and honor this man, a total stranger, but a brother in the service to this nation.

He told us the tale of a time he was delivering wreaths and he got to the end of all he had on board, only to see a small boy with tears in his eyes. The boy’s father hadn’t received a wreath. They didn’t have enough. Butler wanted to solve this for the boy. Thinking quickly, he cut the wreath from his truck’s grill, and gave it to the boy to place on his daddy’s grave. The boy saluted him and thanked him for honoring his father. When he turned back to his truck a new wreath was in place on his grill. To this day, he has no idea where it came from or how it got there.

In 2014, after that first ride, Butler founded Roll To Wreaths – RTW-Riders 4 Vets. This is their oath.

For I myself will carry a wreath in memory of my brothers… And for those that have fallen that lay here beside him as I pray out loud that no headstone will ever be forgotten. As we lay a wreath in honor of those that have fallen. For this here wreath that I carry today has crossed the USA and for those of you who do not know this here wreath that you see is called A Veterans Wreath and it was made of ten bouquets and each bouquet has its own significance with the words of dedication written only for our vets… As I render a salute and leave behind this here wreath that was made for a vet…

Butler hauls and places an average of about 900 wreaths per year, a number he hopes to keep growing.

The post Going Above and Beyond: A Decade of Honoring Fallen Soldiers appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.