Schneider Trucking- Thank You on Behalf of Vets! July 9, 2020
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Long haul, Ride of Pride, Schneider, Stolen Valor, Trucking, Veterans
1 comment so far
Until yesterday I had a passing knowledge of Schneider National, Inc. (Schneider Trucking). Through an unfortunate circumstance (read below). I became much better acquainted. First, let me tell you what I learned. This company has been around since 1935! Additionally, 22% of their drivers are veterans. Probably once of the most impressive things I learned was their dedication to all veterans. They have a military apprenticeship program and other benefits for vets.
Schneider has (since 2007) a very cool program called Ride of Pride where, if a veteran driver applies and is selected, they get to captain a custom rig that is absolutely beautiful. Check out the picture at the top! Check out this cool video, as well! It is a great honor for drivers and, apparently, very selective. In addition to driving they get to attend special functions around the country representing the program, and veterans. Again, amazing effort by Schneider to show support for vets. In 2020 they released their 12th Ride of Pride truck.
Unfortunately, there are always some people who want to take advantage of a good thing. Schneider’s website listed their newest driver and listed his military background and bio. This immediately caught the attention of the US Marine Reconnaissance and Scout/Sniper community with which I am a member. Many of our members are combat vets, disabled vets, and wounded vets. Without going into too many details in this post, suffice it to say that the claims this person made appeared clearly fabricated. I called Schneider, as I am sure many others did, to report the discrepancies. I received a call back within two hours to inform me that an investigation was already being undertaken.
Literally within hours the website was scrubbed of that driver and Schneider had issued a statement.
“Since 2007, Ride of Pride trucks have served as rolling tributes to the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces within Schneider’s fleets. These commemorative trucks are made even more special by their drivers – military veterans who command the road with the same valor as they displayed while serving their country. To that end and in light of recent feedback, we are reviewing our captain selection process. One of Schneider’s core values is integrity, and we are committed to ensuring integrity in the Ride of Pride program. Thank you for your support for the Ride of Pride and the military branches and servicemembers it honors.”
I am not privy to how the investigation resulted nor do I care to know. What I do know is that Schneider took the concerns seriously, and moved with lightening speed to address the concerns raised by numerous veterans. It would have been very easy to have just ignored the concerns. In addition, from the statement, it appears that Schneider is taking further steps to maintain the integrity of this amazing program.
For this Schneider ….THANK YOU! Many companies say they support vets…you have shown in no uncertain terms with your hiring practices, your Ride for Pride and your quick action to resolve an unfortunate situation that you “walk the walk”!
Ms. Frederica Wilson; Politicizing our warriors who died…shameful! October 20, 2017
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: frederica wilson, ISIS, ladavid johnson, Mark Twain, Special Forces, Trump, Veterans
1 comment so far
Recently, a Special Forces team was attacked by an estimated 50 ISIS fighters in Niger. Unfortunately, 4 US Service Members paid the ultimate price and are not coming home. President Trump made a call to the wife of one of the fallen soldiers. This has created a very unnecessary political storm. I have heard numerous pundits comment on President Trump’s comments.
Before I comment further, let me understand the situation. So the President of the United States (the Commander in Chief) calls the wife of one of his soldiers who died and who happens to be in her car with a US Representative and nobody says: “Mr. President…by the way we are on speaker phone and the Honorable Representative Wilson is in the car.”? Not doing this certainly smacks of some ulterior motives on behalf of Ms. Wilson. Who does this? Nobody…. unless they have ulterior motives.
While Ms. Wilson wears ridiculous hats as part of her persona, she is NOT and NEVER HAS, been in combat. She is NOT a veteran and, in fact, she has voted numerous times against veterans’ issues. According to VoteSmart.org:
“…measures that Wilson opposed included a bill that could have ensured that families of four soldiers slain in Afghanistan in 2013 received death and burial benefits. […]
Despite Wilson’s claim to be “committed to honoring our service members, not only with words but with deeds,” she has voted against most bills ensuring continued funding for veteran benefits, including payments to widows of fallen soldiers, the vote-tracking site shows.
She has also opposed measures designed to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In March 2013, Wilson opposed the “Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act,” which prevented a government shutdown and provided funds for the U.S. military and the VA.
The bill, which passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by the Obama administration, provided funding to the military and the VA until the next government shutdown showdown. […]
Later in the year, Wilson again voted against a resolution aimed at ensuring benefits paid to the veterans and their families would not be affected by the government shutdown in October that year. […]
The congresswoman also opposed numerous bills aimed at improving VA services provided the veterans and their families. (FoxNews.com)”
So while Representative Wilson feigns disgust at President Trump actually calling the wife of a slain soldier, she does not appear to actually support veterans. Acta Non Verba, Ms. Wilson, Actions not Words!
With regard to the point that President Trump said that the soldier…his soldier. (As the Commander in Chief, this soldier was under the command of President Trump): “Knew what he signed up for…” is irrelevant. In fact, it is a nod to the bravery of the soldier. While Representative Wilson goes to great lengths to state that soldiers “…sign up to serve and not to die…” is facile and ignorant. She has never served and she does not understand.
Many people are taking this supposed comment as an insult or insensitivity on the part of the President…that is, in my opinion, objectively wrong…a warrior…any warrior…knows that their job has the risk of injury or death. It is the warrior ethos that enables that person to do their job in spite of the risk…that young driver in Niger was a true warrior…He KNEW the risks…but he did not cower in the face of the risks…he did his job…that is the true test of courage. As the incomparable Mark Twain said: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear–not absence of fear.”…I say to all four of those killed…”
While you laughingly referred to yourself as a Rock Star in response to General Kelly’s very pointed commentsGeneral Kelly’s very pointed comments, you ma’am are NOT a rock star. You are a shameless human being and a blight on our system. (I am starting the clock to see how long it takes someone to call me a racist….par for the course). Mr. Wilson has already played the race card…. Please contact Ms. Wilson here.
Sharon Helman- The latest VA Criminal suported by Obama June 2, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Act, AG, Helman, Lynch, McDonald, Phoenix, Robin Paul, Stolen Valor, VA, Veterans, Veterans Choice
1 comment so far
Until today likely few knew the name Sharon Helman. Let me provide some background. Ms. Helman was the director of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Phoenix. This is the same hospital in which 40 (FORTY) Veterans died waiting for services. As a reminder the Phoenix VA was caught manufacturing lists to show reduced wait times so that administrators would get their bonuses. Ms. Helmen is even more deplorable. She was FIRED when it was discovered she was taking “gifts” from vendors and lobbyists. On May 16th, 2016 a judge sentenced Ms. Helman to probation for refusing to report gifts from vendors..these gifts totaled thousands of dollars and included a car. Keep in mind that 40 vets died under her watch while she was lining her pockets. In the wake of this scandal Congress passed the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act of 2014. Part of the Act enables the government to fire people like Ms. Helman who act egregiously. During her hearing Ms. Helman provided the following statement:
“Serving veterans was truly my life’s passion, and I am proud of my work. I should have disclosed the gifts I received from a personal friend, but I did not. That was a betrayal. …”
No doubt that 40 vets who died appreciate her commitment and “life’s passion”. The fact she is “proud of her work” is horrifying. I am reminded of another quote by a person who worked in medicine: “The more we do to you, the less you seem to believe we are doing it.”– Joseph Mengele
Today it was announced that President Obama’s latest Attorney General, Loretta Lynch is refusing to uphold a clause in the act that would allow the firing of people like Ms. Helman. Now Ms. Helman is suing to get her JOB BACK. That is right…this person who allowed 40 veterans to die while lining her pockets with tens of thousands of dollars may now be reinstated to her position as director of the Phoenix VA. A convicted criminal who allowed veterans to die. While I would expect most people with a sense of decency would simply fade away, someone who is indifferent to the deaths of 40 Vets clearly has no decency. I am reminded of another VA representative, Robin Paul, who mocked Veteran suicides.
This is simply the latest slap in the face to vets by the Obama administration. National Security Advisor Susan Rice claimed that turncoat Bowe Bergdahl had served with “Honor and Distinction” and President Obama welcomed his parents to the Whitehouse. At the same time a Special Forces Soldier who defended a boy against rape is being forced out of the US Army! Let us not forget the current Secretary of Veterans Affairs who not only lied about his own military service and mocked a member of Congress who is also a veteran but then had the audacity to compare waits at the VA to “lines at Disneyland”.
Veterans do not ask for much but they deserve much more than is being provided by this administration. General George Washington said: “A Nation is judged by how it treats its veteran.”- This administration treats veterans with contempt.
Director of VA Robert McDonald Compares Lines at VA to Disneyland & Lies about His Military Service May 31, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Affairs, bergdahl, Chris Mark, disneyland, lines, Robert McDonald, Secretary, Special Forces, Stolen Valor, VA, Veterans
1 comment so far
UPDATED POST- Last week VA Director Robert McDonald compared the lines at the VA to lines at Disneyland. While most people were generally appalled by this ignorant and insensitive comment, Robert McDonald refuses to apologize. Keep in mind this is the same idiot that has lied about his own military service and falsely claimed to be a Green Beret. In addition to being an insensitive, ignorant buffoon he is also a liar who claims military honors to which he is not entitled. The fact that President Obama still supports this clown in his role as Director of the VA simply further demonstrates the current administration’s disdain for those who actually serve with honor. Here is Obama’s National Security Advisor Susan Rice’s comments on traitor Bowe Bergdahl in 2014: “He served with honor and distinction.” Those who betray their own country and their brothers and sisters in arms are treated with greater respect by this administration than those who actually serve honorably.
Original POST
Adding to my latest post about Sniper Posers…we have a new addition to the Stolen Valor club. New Veterans Affairs Secretary (and former Proctor & Gamble CEO) Robert McDonald today admitted to lying about being a Special Forces Soldier (Green Beret). This is the same person who confronted Iraq War Veteran (both Iraq wars) and Republican Congressman Mike Coffman (R. Colorado) and pointedly asked “What have you done?” McDonald then talked about how he had “…run a major company..”
It is bad enough when a civilian who has never served lies about their service. It is more egregious when a military member who served honorably lies about their service. It is absolutely not acceptable when the Secretary of the VA lies about his service. Let’s be clear, the VA is one of the most incompetent, corrupt organizations in the entire US Government. Shame on him! He belongs on the Stolen Valor Wall of Shame!
R&S Foundation (Charitable Organization for Recon, SARC, Snipers, and others) January 1, 2015
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: 503c, charity, Foundation, help, Marine, MARSOC, R&S Foundation, Recon, SARC, sniper, Suicide, Veterans
add a comment
“Honoring the Silent Professionals”
I am honored to announce the formation of a new charitable organization called the R&S Foundation. The R&S Foundation (named for Recon & Sniper) was formed to help our veteran Brothers and Sisters in need. Many are unaware that 22 veterans commit suicide per day. Many more struggle with physical, emotional and financial challenges. The Recon, Scout/Sniper, SARC, and MARSOC communities are in need of a foundation to help those who are in need of support. The R&S Foundation was born of a simple idea. Several years ago a Reconnaissance Sniper created a loose affiliation of Snipers, Recon Marines, SARCs, and MARSOC Marines which began informally helping each other. From this seed of an early idea some brothers from the community took the proverbial bull by the horns and created the R&S Foundation. Currently, the group is putting together the ‘non profit’ packet and have seated the Board of Directors (I am privileged to have been asked to be on the BOD). If you get a chance, please take a look at the Facebook page and give us a ‘like’. You can reach the Foundation by emailing; info@reconsniperfoundation.org
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 