Patriotism is making a comeback in America. All of a sudden, movies like “Pearl Harbor” are in vogue, and holidays like Memorial Day and this month’s Fourth of July are experiencing a revival. Truckers have always been known for their patriotism. Paul Reed, a former trucker and Vietnam veteran who is featured in this issue, says it’s because the original truckers came from America’s farmlands. Later, many truckers learned to drive in the military and continued that bond. Others say it’s because truckers are the last cowboys left in America. They don’t sit in a cubicle or punch a time clock. They aren’t in a factory putting a part on an assembly line. They are on the open road, driving from sea to shining sea, seeing parts of the land that many Americans never see in a lifetime. Whatever the reason, truckers symbolize the take-action, frontier spirit that makes them patriots. Taking action, from convoys through Washington D.C. to writing letters to the editor, truckers, as a whole, like to make a difference.
Making a difference took on new meaning last summer when we asked you to register to absentee vote for the fall presidential elections. We figured there was always the chance that the vote could be close and absentee voting could make a difference. This was the understatement of the year, as it turned out. But the fact remained that you registered to vote absentee, and your vote made a difference. Taking action is always better than talking about it, and truckers are known for taking action.
This summer, there is a way you can make a difference again. The U.S. Postal Service is considering creating a “truck” stamp. Even making it to the “consideration” list is a big deal in the stamp selection process. This would be the first stamp to recognize trucking since 1953 when the Postal Service commemorated the 50th anniversary of the trucking industry on a 3-cent stamp. The U.S. Postal Service’s Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee no longer highlights specific industries but it is considering highlighting “trucks.”
Former ATA Chairman John Wren worked closely with the ATA Foundation to promote the issuance of the stamp. “The stamp committee’s decision is partially based on the public’s use and popularity of commemorative stamps. This stamp would go a long way in increasing the public’s awareness of trucks and the role they play in the economy of this country. A truck stamp would be a source of pride for truckers and a public relations boost to the industry,” Wren says.
How can you help get the stamp approved? We’ve made it simple. Inside this issue is a post card with the address of the advisory committee on one side. On the other side is a blank area for you to express your opinion. Ask the committee to consider the truck stamp. Tell them why you think a truck stamp would be popular and help the industry’s image. Then stamp and mail it. Tell your friends and family to write to the committee.
The address is as follows:
Dr. Virginia Noelke, Chairman
Citizens for Stamp
Advisory Committee
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20260-2435
A truck stamp won’t lower fuel and insurance prices. It won’t raise your rates or decrease your waiting time. But it will put the image of a truck on billions of pieces of U.S. mail, and maybe that will make a difference.
