C.R. England Honors Military Veterans and Unveils Military-Branded Trucks and Trailers

SALT LAKE CITY, June 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- C.R. England, one of the nation's largest refrigerated carriers, today honored hundreds of their military veteran drivers and employees at a military-themed event at the corporate offices in Salt Lake City. Attended by national, state and local military and government officials, and hundreds of C.R. England drivers and employees, the company unveiled five new military-themed trucks and trailers to be driven exclusively by former members of the military and announced the goal of adding 350 veterans to their driver force by the end of 2014.

"We are honored to recognize the many former members of the military who are part of the C.R. England team, both those who drive for us as company drivers and independent contractors, as well as those in driver-support roles across the nation," said Dan England, chairman of C.R. England. "Not only is it our duty to ensure that those coming out of the military have great jobs, but it is our privilege to hire these men and women. Veterans bring special skills to the workforce, which make them ideal candidates for positions in our company. Veterans are disciplined, team oriented and focused problem-solvers who have an unparalleled worth ethic.  We extend our personal thanks to those who have served and who are now offering your skills to us in the private sector."

Also speaking were Gary Harter, Executive Director of Utah's Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, and West Valley City Mayor Ron Bigelow.

During the event, Dan England announced the following incentives for attracting new veterans to the C.R. England driver force:  

1. Increase the number of military veteran drivers by 350 by year-end, giving C.R. England more than 1,300 drivers who have military backgrounds.
2. Tuition incentives for military veterans.
3. Access to Veterans' Career Counselors to assist veterans in finding the best driving job within C.R. England that provides the best career fit.
4. Monthly "Veteran of the Month" recognition in company publications.
5. Each new veteran hire will receive a hat and a special decal for their truck that recognizes them as an "Honored Veteran".
6. The annual selection of veterans to drive unique military-branded trucks and trailers. Each year C.R. England will expand the "Honored Veterans" truck and trailer program by at least five additions to the fleet.

During the event, the first five trucks and trailers in the "Honored Veterans" fleet were unveiled. The trucks are 2015 Freightliner Cascadia Evolutions (four automatic and one 9-speed manual transmission). The trailers are manufactured by Utility with the new Thermo King Precedent S-600 Trailer Refrigeration System.

Dan England also announced and recognized the drivers who would drive vehicles in the Honored Veterans fleet. Drivers who were candidates for this honor must have had a clean safety record and at least one tour of duty in the military. Those drivers are the following:

Brent Sanger has been with C.R. England since 2012. Brent was in the U.S. Army for 13-years and is a Desert Storm Vet. He served in the Gulf War from 1990-1991, he was awarded with the Army Drivers Badge for being accident free during his service. He is from Leavenworth, KS.

Sean Ritter served four years in the U. S. Army as an Expert Marksman as well as four years in the Coast Guard. During his service he was deployed to Iraq and received the Operation Enduring Freedom Award. This will mark his fourth year with C.R. England. Ritter has been accident-free in his driving career, and is aiming for the million mile mark.  He grew up in Houston, Texas, but considers Idaho to be his home.

David Bice is from Warsaw, KY. He served 16 years in the U.S. Army. He was active duty in Panama and Germany as well as a year in Iraq. He received an Army Commendation (ARCom) Medal as a cook. He also received the Army Achievement Medal for his service overseas. He was an Army Elite runner, and was selected to be a part of the National Guard marathon team with other elite runners in the National Guard. He is still an avid runner and has competed in 12 marathons. His favorite was the Chicago marathon where he set his personal record at two hours and 39 minutes, placing in the top 200 for the entire event. Bice has been with C.R. England for three and a half years.  

Nico Turner served in the United States Marine Corps for 19 years. During his service, he spent the majority of his deployment in Afghanistan or Iraq where he was a much decorated soldier. He received the Purple Heart, a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for his demonstration of bravery, dedication, and ability to execute the mission safely. He grew up in Detroit, MI, and San Jose, CA. Turner has been with C.R. England for one year and he has been accident-free in that time.

The final honorees are team drivers. Bill Lowry served in the United States Marines for six years. Bill spent three and a half years in Okinawa, Japan as a Combat Engineer working with explosives. He was recognized with several awards for his service; the Meritorious Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon with three stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. Lowry is from Truman Lake, MO.

Driving with Lowry is Pat Pyfferoen who served in the U.S. Marines for six years. Pyfferoen did his basic training in San Diego and was stationed in California in 29 Palms. He grew up in Rochester, MN. Together this team is a part of the Elite Fleet, a pilot program in the National Division.

Finally, the company used the event to honor World War II veterans Gene and Bill England.  In the early 1940s Gene, in the U.S. Army and Bill, in the U.S. Air Force, served with honor.  Gene received the bronze star for his service on Okinawa, June 1945. 

About C.R. England
Founded in 1920, C.R. England, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Salt Lake City, Utah and is one of North America's largest transportation companies and the world's largest temperature-controlled carrier. C.R. England services include National, Mexico and Regional Truckload service in addition to Dedicated and Intermodal services. Visit www.crengland.com.

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Dan England
http://www.profnetconnect.com/Dan_England

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SOURCE C.R. England, Inc.