Brad Bentley, Fastport president, emphasized the importance of the program: “The trucking industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to those who have served by recognizing the leadership, discipline, and focus veterans bring to the workforce. Returning to the Mid-America Trucking Show with the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award and this year’s Kenworth T680 grand prize allows us to celebrate that commitment on one of the industry’s biggest stages. It’s an incredible opportunity to spotlight veterans who are excelling behind the wheel and to encourage more service members to see trucking as a pathway to long-term success.”

The Grand Prize Kenworth T680

The 2026 award winner will receive a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain, including the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. This flagship model will be on display at the Mid-America Trucking Show, March 26–28, at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, in the Fastport booth, #39501.

Kenworth’s T680 features the Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents, full heated and cooled GT703 Ultraleather seats, and a sleeper that includes a microwave, TV, factory-installed fridge, and rotating work table. Driver assistance technologies include DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.

Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing, highlighted the program’s significance: “The Mid-America Trucking Show brings together the very best of the trucking community, making it an ideal venue to highlight the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award. For the 11th consecutive year, Kenworth is proud to support this transformative program and to once again present our flagship T680 to an outstanding veteran who represents the future of our industry.”

Supporting Veterans in Trucking

Eric Eversole, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president and president of Hiring Our Heroes, added: “For many veterans, trucking offers a way to continue serving with purpose, responsibility, and pride. Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence recognizes veterans who are thriving in an industry that keeps our economy moving and offers durable, long‑term careers with real opportunity. We’re honored to work alongside Fastport and Kenworth to elevate these success stories for the 11th year.”

Eligibility and Timeline

Candidates are evaluated by a panel of industry experts. To qualify, drivers must:

• Be a U.S. resident and a military veteran, National Guard, or Reserves member.
• Graduate from a PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS, or CVTA member driver training school with a valid CDL.
• Be employed by a for-hire carrier or private fleet that hires veterans and started driving after January 1, 2025.

Nominations open March 28, with a submission deadline of June 30. Semi-finalists will be announced on August 5, followed by a tour of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant. Public voting on finalists occurs November 1–11. The final award will be announced in mid-December, with the winner taking home the Kenworth T680.

Full criteria and nomination forms are available on the official Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence website.

The post Kenworth Continues Support for Veteran Truckers with 2026 Transition Trucking Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Greensboro and Raleigh service centers both opened in October 1980, with Greensboro serving as Southeastern’s tenth service center and Raleigh as its eleventh. Five years later, in October 1985, the company extended its reach to the coast, opening its 20th service center in Wilmington.

Each location has grown tremendously over the decades:

The Greensboro service center started with 57 dock doors and nine associates and has expanded to 97 dock doors and 183 associates. Raleigh began with 20 dock doors and 23 associates and now operates with 148 dock doors and 115 associates. Wilmington initially opened with six dock doors and five associates before relocating in 1986 to a larger facility with 22 dock doors; it now has 41 dock doors and 29 associates.

“Four decades of service is a tremendous milestone for our teams in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Wilmington,” said Matt Bowen, regional vice president of operations at Southeastern Freight Lines. “Our associates are the core of what we do, and these anniversaries highlight their commitment to delivering outstanding service. We’re proud to serve these North Carolina communities and thankful for the loyal support of our customers.”

To honor this anniversary, Southeastern Freight Lines is recognizing nine longtime associates who have dedicated decades to keeping freight moving across North Carolina:

• 43 years of service: Pickup and Delivery Driver John Foil, Raleigh; Linehaul Driver Jay Hobbs, Greensboro
• 42 years of service: Fleet Services Technician Russ Myers, Greensboro; Linehaul Driver Paul Browning, Greensboro (Retired)
• 41 years of service: Linehaul Driver Melvin Smith, Raleigh
• 40 years of service: Safety Specialist Jackie Mabe, Greensboro
• 37 years of service: Pickup and Delivery Driver Nelson Gurganus, Wilmington; Linehaul Driver Scott Chalmers, Raleigh; Linehaul Driver Phil Morris, Raleigh

“As we look to the future, we remain committed to investing in our people, strengthening customer relationships and continuing to deliver the reliable, quality service our North Carolina communities have come to expect,” Bowen said.

Southeastern Freight Lines’ milestone is a reminder to truck drivers and industry professionals that dedication, community focus, and a strong team culture are what keep regional freight moving efficiently, year after year.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Southeastern Freight Lines

The post Southeastern Freight Lines Marks 40 Years of Service in North Carolina appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Every year, these carriers play a pivotal role in transporting wreaths to honor American veterans. Courtney George, Director of Transportation and Industry Relations for WAA, stated, “Many of our partners donating their time each year are veterans themselves, including the professional drivers hauling the loads. Professional drivers and carriers that join WAA’s Honor Fleet have the desire to do something meaningful to honor veterans and their loved ones and many say that Wreaths Across America provides a way for them to do that.”

The Role of the Honor Fleet

The Honor Fleet serves as the backbone of Wreaths Across America’s mission, delivering millions of beautifully crafted veterans’ wreaths to locations nationwide. Reflecting on 2024, the fleet hauled 739 loads of wreaths using support from 397 trucking companies to reach more than 4,900 participating destinations, including the esteemed Arlington National Cemetery.

By partnering with the Honor Fleet, trucking companies demonstrate unwavering dedication to giving back to the nation and honoring those who have served.

Celebrating This Year’s Honorees

To celebrate their significant contributions, WAA honors the following 17 carriers for their generosity, commitment, and tireless efforts in supporting veterans and their families over the years:

• Abilene Motor Express

• Jetco Delivery

• Hirschbach Motor Lines

• Boyd Grain Inc.

• Big G Express

• Knight Transportation

• Classic Carriers

• Leonard’s Express

• Hoekstra Transportation, LLC

• Convoy Systems LLC

• Paul MH Sagehorn LLC

• Hampton Roads Moving & Storage

• Total Transportation of Mississippi

• Heartland Express

• Waste Masters Solutions

• J.B. Hunt

• Matrix Expedited Service

By dedicating their resources to WAA’s annual wreath-laying mission, these companies demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to remembering and honoring American veterans and their loved ones.

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: Wreaths Across America

The post Wreaths Across America Honors 17 Carriers for a Decade of Service appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.