“I’m incredibly impressed and encouraged by Sam Landrum. As much as anyone in the company, he knows how far we’ve come and how far we can go if we continue to work together and strive to make the driving job better,” said John Coppens, Maverick’s vice president of operations. “Sam is a great addition to the Driver of the Year group, and I look forward to working with him as part of our ongoing advisory councils.”

While this isn’t Landrum’s first award as a driver, the 67-year-old emphasizes the significance of Maverick’s award.

“What was so special about being named Maverick’s OTR Driver of the Year is the fact that other drivers voted on it,” he said. “It really meant a whole lot to me when I had fellow drivers come up to me to say, ‘Man, I hope you get it. I voted for you!’ Just to be known and liked by fellow drivers meant a lot.”

His journey into trucking began early in life, influenced by family members involved in the industry, although he didn’t seriously consider it as a career until the downturn in farming during the 1980s.

After graduating from high school in 1975, Landrum worked on the family farm until 1981 when interest rates rose 21%.

“The banker wanted to know if I wanted to continue. He was afraid my dad was going to be out on the streets without anything,” Landrum said. “They were getting scared, so I decided to quit farming. … My wife and folks were from Dallas, so we went down there (in 1982). I got a job working in a factory, building cabinets for houses and stuff. The first four years, it was all right, but the last two years, I hated even having to go to work.”

His career path took a significant turn when a fellow church member offered him a job driving a local delivery truck. Impressed by Landrum’s natural skill behind the wheel, his friend suggested he try his hand at driving a semi-truck.

Initially hesitant, Landrum took on the challenge when asked to fill in for the regular OTR driver who was on vacation.

“My first trip was to Colorado. I don’t think I slept the whole week because I was so nervous. I had to go through the mountains and all that stuff,” Landrum said. “… I’m my own teacher. I made a lot of mistakes and I learned from mistakes. Of course, things are different now. Before anybody will even look at you, you’ve got to go through school and all that. I learned it hard-core.”

Landrum discovered real enjoyment in the job, particularly liking the camaraderie among drivers. He valued the sense of community, knowing that he could always connect with fellow drivers for advice or assistance at any truck stop or over the CB radio.

“When we started out, we didn’t have no GPS, didn’t have no cellphones, no nothing. We had to buy a suitcase full of city maps,” he said. “Back then, drivers would talk to each other. So, if you went to a truck stop and said, ‘Hey, man, you ever been to this area?’ they might say, ‘Yeah. Avoid this road; there’s an old bridge here.’ Everybody talked to each other a whole lot more than they do now.”

Over the past 30 years, Landrum has remained dedicated to Maverick, and his passion for the job has only grown stronger. His commitment has earned him recognition from both the carrier and his peers, with four nominations for Driver of the Month and his current status as Driver of the Year. He emphasizes the consistent support from his wife.

“I have a real good wife who held down the fort while I went out and made more money for our family,” he said. “I tell you what, it takes a special woman to put up with a truck driver! … I also want to say that Maverick was a godsend to me. I couldn’t have gone with a better company. That’s why I’ve been here so long. I’ve got 30 years and 3 million safe miles with them, and I can only say good things about Maverick.”

Source: The Trucker

Photo: Maverick

The post The Legacy Sam Landrum Has Created in the Driver’s Seat appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In an effort to honor and preserve the legacy of those who served in Vietnam and educate present and future generations about the war’s impact, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) created The Wall That Heals—a three-quarter scale replica adorned with the names of over 58,000 individuals inscribed on the original structure. This replica embarks on an annual journey, covering thousands of miles and stopping in communities across the U.S. In a historic move for 2024, The Wall reached Hawaii, making stops in Hilo in January and Wailuku in February.

The 375-foot-long, 7.5-foot-tall chevron-shaped replica travels in a 53-foot trailer that transforms into a mobile education center. The trailer’s exterior features a timeline detailing “The War and The Wall,” capturing the attention of passersby on the highway.

Transporting The Wall during its annual tour is a considerable undertaking, and the trucking industry has played a crucial role in supporting this mission. Since 2015, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has sponsored The Wall’s journey.

“TCA is proud to continue our partnership with VVMF to help bring The Wall That Heals to communities across our nation and support the mission of honoring veterans and educating all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War,” said Jim Ward, TCA president. “This is a great opportunity for our members and their drivers to get involved and bring this special memorial to their communities.”

For TCA’s member carriers, participating in the transport of The Wall is considered an honor and privilege. Many drivers, often military veterans themselves, eagerly await the opportunity to be part of this meaningful experience. Maverick Transportation, based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, has been involved in moving the memorial since 2021.

Maverick’s commitment to supporting the nation’s military aligns with its corporate culture, according to John Coppens, the vice president of operations for Maverick. The company’s involvement in hiring military veterans intensified when it became part of the GI Bill’s on-the-job training program in the early 2010s.

“We first started talking about the idea of getting involved in 2018, and then with the emergence of our Military Veteran wrapped trucks — nicknamed ‘Salute’ — in 2019, we really wanted to be part of the program,” Coppens said. “We were scheduled for an event in 2020, but COVID-19 canceled it, so our first move was in 2021.”

Numerous motor carriers contribute to transporting The Wall each year, and Maverick is responsible for at least one move annually, sometimes more as needed.

“We have a total of five Salute veteran tribute trucks, and we’re always open to doing more with The Wall That Heals,” he said. “It’s a popular program and a great one for those carriers that wish to recognize their veterans and the programs they have built to support them and their families. … It’s a big honor and many drivers with military roots, specifically those with connections to veterans of the Vietnam War, find the privilege of transporting the wall more emotional and personally gratifying than they ever expected.”

The selection process for drivers to pilot The Wall varies between carriers. At Maverick, interested drivers undergo an interview process that delves into their military experience and passion for the program. Once chosen for this honor, the drivers face various challenges.

“One of the main hurdles is overcoming the attention driving a Salute truck brings, specifically when hauling The Wall or being part of a parade or other charitable events,” Coppens said. “The extra attention is great, but it can also be exhausting.”

In 2021, Eric Curlett, a 20-year Marine Corps veteran with nearly a decade of experience at Maverick, piloted the Salute tractor-trailer carrying The Wall and mobile education unit.

“I was very proud to haul The Wall,” Curlett said. “It was an honor. I am a veteran of a foreign war, and to see something like this that honors the people who fought — it was a top honor of my life.”

In 2022, Curlett assisted in setting up The Wall during its visit to Cabot, Arkansas, providing him the opportunity to connect with visitors and hear their stories.

“I met and witnessed a Vietnam veteran who was able to receive an award for serving while The Wall was set up in Cabot. That was such an honor,” he said. … Toward the end of the setup, she carried a piece of The Wall that had her father’s name listed on it. That really stood out to me.”

The experiences have left a lasting impact on him and the entire Maverick team, instilling pride in supporting The Wall That Heals, the nation’s military veterans, and their dedicated drivers.

“We love and respect our Salute drivers for all they have done and continue to do to represent their service men and women as well as Maverick,” Coppens said.

Source: The Trucker

Photos: Maverick Transportation

The post Maverick Transportation’s Journey with The Vietnam Veterans Memorial appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.