President Donald Trump honored America’s truckers for their essential work on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic at a presentation at the White House, Thursday afternoon.
In attendance were Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear, top executives from UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp., and members of America’s Road Team.
Trump praised our “brave, bold and incredible truckers,” calling them the “lifeblood of our economy” during the widespread shutdowns.
“For days, and sometimes weeks on end, truck drivers leave their homes and deliver supplies that American families need and count on during this national crisis and at all other times,” Trump said. “In the war against the virus, American truckers are the foot-soldiers who are really carrying us to victory.”
Trump added: “To every trucker listening over the radio or behind the wheel, I know I speak for the 330+ million Americans when we say, thank God for Truckers!”
Chao also thanked the truckers, saying that without their hard work, it would be impossible to keep the economy moving, and get essential supplies to where they need to be.
The president awarded four drivers with large, gold keys, telling them “you’re essential, that I can tell you.”
The drivers, Charlton Paul of UPS freight, Dylan Madigan of DHL Express, Stephen Richardson of Big G Express, and Tina Peterson of Federal Express, took turns at the mic sharing their stories.
Richardson, a professional driver for nearly 30 years, said he has switched during the crisis from hauling barrels of Jack Daniels whiskey to delivering loads of hand sanitizer. He said being honored at the White House “means the world to me” and asked the public to think about the roughly 3.5 million truckers on the road each day during the crisis.
“If you pass a truck out there on the road and get a chance, say thank you,” Richardson said.
“We know our truckers will never let us down,” Trump said at the conclusion of the event. “So I say God bless our great truckers, God bless every worker who is serving our nation at this time of need, God bless all who are sick and God bless America.”