CANADIAN TRUCKING MAGAZINE WEB DEC 2013

Dave brings 40 years of valuable and interesting experience in transportation, management, safety, business and compliance. Dave has driven in every condition across North America and overseas as Military, Police, Company Driver to an Owner Operator to transportation management. Now our Celebrity Editor Publisher of Canadian Trucking Magazine bringing you articles and entertainment in print and on the web. Join Dave on Face Book for real tome updates and meet at your favorite stop or truck show! Be Happy to say Hi and maybe get a picture or two.

MERRY CHRISTMAS all my Brothers and Sisters and readers!

Yes I said the forbidden term that has been used for hundreds of years, Merry Christmas.

Some of us will be on the road during the Holiday Season and interesting enough, I use to always work the holidays.

Yeap you heard me, when I got into the truck full time my first kids were older, had inlaws to go to at Christmas and hustle and bustle.

So with me being a frugal Scot I would take those loads nobody wanted to Texas at Christmas.

Now as I said frugal Scot, the reason is, on boxing day, those expensive gifts everyone wants is on sale.

Those special Christmas boxed ones would be up to 75% off. I could spend like a truck driver and get a ton of good stuff.

I looked like a hero!

So while everyone spent twice or more for presents and froze getting them in -40 or worse, I was in Texas Boxing day sucking up the warmth and getting the deals.

It can be a lonely time for some of us, with bad roads, love ones far from us, but don’t forget all the family you have on the road.

Fellow Drivers, truck stop personal and that favorite radio show.

We in transport, the ones with diesel in our viens have 2 families. The one at home and the one on the road.

Driver I am your family that is why I do this magazine is to connect and again this year between Christmas and New Years you will find me at the truck stops saying hi and buying you a cup of mud.

That way I get to spend time with both my families, the road and where I call home. continued page 4 3

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This month is an excellent story from Ellen Voie from Women in Trucking.

I won’t give too much away, but it talks about we who move freight when others are home taking time out to enjoy that freight we move.

But it also talks about others that are out there as well putting in hours to keep essential services going and serve us some hot food and fuel.

So if this season is not going well for you, don’t take it out on the poor server who is also working, but tip heavy and give a warm smile. Smiles become contagious.

Dawn writes an amazing article as aways about the darndest places smugglers hide things.

In Marc Springers column we repeat where our friends and family can find great gifts for us.

Some, are picking up one of those lick and stick cameras from Seaforth.

That is a gift that keeps giving as the stories keep rolling in about saves they have done having video to prove incidents.

On driver just told me on 11 where a truck passing came so close it took off his mirror and he caught the truck and conversation on the camera.

When he caught the truck up the road, he showed him he had a camera in the windshield and the cooperation started.

Another truck was passed on the Yellowhead and then pulled in front of the truck hitting his brakes for an amber light being plowed in the back.

Caught on camera and guess what, the 4 wheeler loss.

The roads are as every year slick and changing by the minute and you have probally noticed more 4 wheelers and big trucks as ever.

Unfortunately some of them have never driven in these conditions or just have forgotten, so keep an eye on your mirrors for those that whip past us on black ice and sometimes would not hurt to take your foot out of it as they go past to get rid of them sooner.

A tip for the new guys, keep an eye out way ahead what the road looks like, turns, stopped vehicles, as when you get a white out from a passing vehicle you don’t hit something unexpected.

Good thing about experience is you drivers out there already know the worse places for black ice, where trucks go off the road most, where to slow down, and when to park.

Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku at Christmas.

Clarence & Krysta look after us every Christmas.

If you are stuck up in Edmonton around Christmas and don’t know where to go for a good feed and entertainment, see Blackjacks, as thier door is open to us.

As well if you are going past before or after, drop in and thank them for thier support.

How many people open thier doors and spend Christmas with us like this.

Next to us is the CBSA Exemptions because you would not believe how many people don’t know the exact amounts you are allowed to cross with.

This is up to date so if you see some great deals on boxing day or there after, shop away.

It is a good way to get out of the truck and take your mind off the road and trucking for a few hours and get a walk in that is good exercise.

Again Merry Merry and Happy Happy and I would rather hear from you, than about you!

So drive safe out there this winter season and watch my face book posts and if we are heading to the same place, please say hello!

Happy Trails ~~~~~DAVE

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ADDED CONTENT YOU WON T FIND IN THE P Hey if you Don’t believe what the are reading bottle tells you. this, you are In fact don’t believe reading the what I tell you wait till you see extra con- a live demo! tent on the Steve at the Road King facebook or Chrome Shop in Calgary AB has web site Ex- a demo kit and stock I believe. panded Web As well DABS in WinEdition along with about nipeg MB is going to be carryng 80,000+ other Fans. it as well with the demo kit. In case you don’t know DAB’s it is Thank-you!!!!!

So much to tell you and a shop on Logan Ave right off 90 that is known for excellent servso little space.

First if you noticed in ice and prices there or will come Marc Springers article he talks out and rescue you. about and promotes XP3.

I enjoy breakfast with Dan Remember not only is from DAB’s at my favorite OakMarc a famous character on point Restaurant about twice a TV but also a real life O/O and week when I am in town. a very smart cookie.

If you are in Winnipeg and This XP3 has been past the Oakpoint, drop in and if around since 89 but only sold in I am there I will buy you a cup of a commercial purpose to treat coffee for some conversation.

Talking to you the readers diesel and gas by the barrel full.

Just now it comes to us through has helped CTM over the last 5 years find the direction you want retail distribution.

The claim to fame and I us to go. have seen this with my own eyes The December Magazine is it beats anything you currently I am really proud of, because I are using and in fact, listen to think it has something for everythis, there are products you are one.

In the back I have an using that are harming your fuel awesome story Joe Willyard, millage, not helping it!

Do you every notice how take a minute and read it as in Winter you burn more fuel, there are a number of drivers well dah, naturally, but the fuel just like Joe out there and it is additive you are using may be such a great true story. causing you to burn more.

I like hearing stories.

PRINTED EDITION by DAVE Beside us here is the gang from Fergus Truck Show.

Canada’s Largest Truck Show for the trucker for sure.

I have heard a lot of rumbling about the show, that has been started and spread from particlar vendors of the show not by truckers.

Because if you think about it, how many shows open a big field for us to come to with more than 200 trucks and BBQ meet fiends and have a great time on a summer week-end.

Who cares about what a disgruntled vendor cries about, this is Fergus Man. I personally in the picture here attended a vendor meeting in Fergus ON where I saw and have seen the dedication these volunteers have to make this week-end a success for us.

I will be there in 2014!

By the way, vendors keep the bills paid on this magazine of ours, so use the ones in here.

We will never put an AD in here for a company we would not use ourselves.

In fact we have refused a company or 2 to advertise and have turfed a few out that you don’t see here anymore.

The places to eat, sleep and deal with are checked out and look after us and provide a value. Tell them CTM sent you!

I like to hear from you, what you like in CTM and deliver that!

This month you have seen more jokes and different articles, as I hear on the road, those jokes help with you day.

If you have a good one should be in the magazine and can be in the magazine, send it to me.

When you see some of the hard working servers in the magazine, tell them you saw them next time through and tip heavy.

Always a compliment when you ask them to sign the magazine they are in.

Cool thing about that Fergus picture above, I can find myself standing in it, in 2007 when it was taken.

So again, thanks for reading the expanded edition and please share the link on your facebook or email to friends so they too can enjoy CTM and build our readership, build our advertisers so we can be around for a long long time! ~~~~~ Dave

QUEREL TRAILERS by Dave MacKENZIE

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Querel Trailers front cover of CTM and about time, with Bruce Querel and Richard Wiebe.

This is a CTM favorite as Bruce has put an article in CTM in the past and more in the future I hope as he is in my opinion the trailer expert.

Not only how they are built and what is junk and what not, but what you can legally use and what you should be using.

Querel Trailers has been providing contractors, road builders, forestry professionals and long haulers with quality new and used semi-trailers for over seven years. With 31 years trailer sales experience behind it, Querel Trailers has the industry expertise needed to ensure its customers get topquality products at reasonable prices.

Querel's Trailers has a large inventory to choose from. The company stocks 50, 55 and 60 tonne lowbeds, C/W Jeeps and boosters, tandem steel and aluminum end dumps with box liners, triaxle steel and aluminum end dumps and mechanical detaches.

You might not be pulling one of these now, but I bet you

know someone who is.

Querel also specializes in the forest industry. Through its manufacturers, the company has a wide range of pulp trailers including tandems, triaxles and super Bs. Querel also has storage trailers and storage containers for sale.

Querel is based in Manitoba, but can and does provide service across the country thanks to unrestricted territorial agreements with manufacturers. As part of its commitment to service, Querel will deliver trailers to its customers' home place of business, anywhere between Ontario and British Columbia.

Querel staff offers extensive product and industry knowledge meaning an informed comparison can be done right in the shop. Not only will they provide everything a customer needs to know about the trailer and its components, but Querel staff is well-versed in regulation requirements and restrictions so customers can make sure they leave with the right purchase.

Querel Trailers comes backed by a solid reputation that makes the company name synonymous with quality products and exceptional service.

This is where I go to!

By Dawn Truell ~ CBS ~ Toronto Cocaine Im

Yup, our To r o n t o , Ontario is back in the news again for another Cocaine drug smuggling bust!

November 16, 2013, this seizure was found by investigations conducted by both the RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the ICE the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Together they discovered and seized 70 kg of cocaine and arrested 3 Toronto residents that were responsible for this smuggling operation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection started the investigation while inspecting a shipment that originated from Ecuador, destined to Toronto, shipping from Miami, a hydraulic piston was inspected.

Hydraulic piston on the ground

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After thorough examination, 70 kg of cocaine were found concealed inside this hydraulic piston.

HSI Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents in both Miami and Toronto were contacted by CBP to initiate a narcotics smuggling investigation.

At this point the RCMP also got involved locally investigating the attempted delivery of cocaine into Canada.

Several other Canadian law enforcement agencies became involved as this investigation progressed.

Three men were arrested in Toronto in the Steinway Blvd and Goodmark Place area.

Multiple search warrants were executed throughout the GTA. The U.S.A. and Canada drug enforcement teams including CBP Customs and Border Protection, ICE Immigrations and Customs U.S., CBSA Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP, TPS Toronto Police Service, PRP Peel Regional Police and the HSI

Package of cocaine tightly placed inside a piston.

mportation Scheme Busted

Homeland Security Investigations, continue to work diligently in the fight against drug smuggling, this case is a perfect example of the cooperative efforts on both sides of the borders and Internationally.

The RCMP has charged the following men with offences relating to the importation of cocaine: Olanrewaju Lisboa 44 of Toronto, ON, Akintoye Adebiyi 45 of Brampton, ON and Mike Oduh 49 of Toronto, ON. These accused men are in custody to appear in the Brampton Provincial Courthouse; this investigation is on-going, further arrests and charges may be pending.

For information regarding anything mentioned in this article or information on the fight against smuggling, terrorism, C-TPAT, FAST, PIP please contact

Dawn Truell

Cross Border Services 905-973-9136 dawntruell@gmail.com www.crossborderservices.org www.c-tpat-certified.com.

U.S. Customs officer attempting to remove cocaine.

cylindrical packages of cocaine

Note from Dave!

If you see suspicious activity, persons asking you for a ride across the border in your vehicle, a loose lipped driver talking about smuggling loads of weapons or drugs, do us all a big favour and contact authorities. Try to get as much information as possible without becoming involved and shut these bad guys down. They are bad for our business.

CALL BORDER WATCH~ 1.888.502.9060

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Cows don’t celebrate Christmas by Ellen V It was a Professional drivers b e a u t i f u l have the same circumstances.

December It might not be cows that are day here in being fed, but they are bringWisconsin. ing food to people, the same I thought I people who have the day off to would take celebrate Christmas with their a long walk families. before I If you ask your neighbor traveled to to name some occupations join my where the workers don’t get holfamily for our annual Christmas idays off, you’ll probably hear celebration. As I enjoyed the them cite a list of obvious cabeautiful winter air, I observed a reers. Police officers, fire fighters farmer along my country route. and doctors come to mind.

He was spreading maWhat about the county nure on a nearby cornfield as the worker who cleans the highways cows watched him from the of snow and ice so you can fenced in area across the road. safely travel to your family celeI have many friends who are bration? What about the truck farmers and I could appreciate stop waitress who is there to his work that day. serve your turkey and stuffing with a smile and a hot cup of coffee? What about the dispatcher who is on-call in case a driver has an emergency?

What about the professional driver who is away from his or her family on Christmas Day? How many of us think about the family members at Since cows don’t take a home who are missing their holiday, neither can the farmer. driver at the dinner table? What Cows need to be fed and the about the child who listens for the manure needs to be spread in roar of the diesel engine as it enanticipation of spring crops. ters the driveway? What about There is no day off when you’re the spouse who wishes for a safe working with animals. delivery?

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Voie CAE, President/CEO Women in Trucking Those of us in the Thank you to all of you trucking industry understand in the trucking industry who that it’s not just farmers (and work over the holidays so we cows) that don’t get a day off. could enjoy our families.

It’s most of the professionals Cows don’t celebrate who are responsible for feed- Christmas, so farmers can’t take ing, clothing and delivering the day off. Consumers continue products to the rest of us. to expect their shelves to be full, From the driver to the truck pumps to provide gasoline and stop worker to the highway roads to be cleared. Every time I workers and the law enforce- see a cow (remember, I live in ment folks, they’re all on duty Wisconsin) I will be reminded of whether it’s a holiday or not. your efforts on my behalf.

We understand, but do I only hope your friends we show our appreciation? and neighbors are as appreThis column is dedi- ciative as well. cated to all of you who work during Christmas, Easter, For more information visit; Thanksgiving, New Years day and your birthday. It’s also for www.womenintrucking.org those of you who miss your or call 888-464-9482 children and grandchildren’s birthdays, your anniversary Ellen Voie CAE, and special events with your President/CEO loved ones.

It’s for those of you who make sacrifices for those of us who can take the day off because of your efforts.

For government workers who have legal holidays, for educators who are off for winter break and for the executives who can leave the office and know there are others who will keep it going, we hope you are listening.

Note from Dave~~ If you are a women in trucking support those who support you, call WIT today.

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign in Las Vegas, Nevada. Johns onship activities. See MORE in the Expanded Web Edition of Canadian

e's Chevrolet and Miss Sprint Cup Brooke Werner pose for a photo at son is in Las Vegas for a week of 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup ChampiTrucking Magazine on Line @ www.canadiantruckingmagazine.ca

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, his wife Chandra, and daughter Lydia Norriss pose prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on December 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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www.canadiantruckingmagazine.ca

Want more NASCAR Action !

Canadian Trucking Magazine has it, on the Expanded Web Edition now enjoyed by over 80,000 readers a month and up to date events on the Canadian Trucking Magazine Face Book Page ~ Become a Fan

Nov 17, 2013 – Jimmie Johnson was crowned the sport’s six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, the first driver to win six titles in an eight-year span. Johnson is now one series title away from tying Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt for the most all-time.

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Johnson Returns To Head

Jimmie Johnson wraps up his sixth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ championship celebration Friday night in Las Vegas.

For Johnson, Champion’s Week™ has been an enjoyable one – and perhaps his best since he captured his first championship in 2006 to begin an unprecedented run of five consecutive titles.

“The streak, when it was alive, I didn’t realize how much pressure we were carrying on our shoulders. We almost didn’t get to enjoy the moment,” he said. “We were looking ahead to see what the next year would be.

“This (year) is almost a starting over. We’re just enjoying it for what it is.”

Johnson and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Lowe’s Chevrolet team’s streak of five titles ended in 2011 and they missed the title a year ago, but the now-38-year-old Californian smiled and applauded the achievements of Tony Stewart and Brad Keselowski from the audience.

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The two seasons away from the head table provided some of the impetus for what Johnson calls “a kick-butt year” in which he won six races. Two victories during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ were keys to Johnson emerging victorious from a dramatic and tension-filled battle with 2003 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Matt Kenseth.

“There’s nothing more motivating than sitting down on the floor and watching the head table receive all the things through the course of the night,” Johnson said. “We worked hard and came back and got it done this year.”

One championship away from matching the seven NASCAR Sprint Cup titles won

by NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, Johnson had hoped to reference some of the legends’ thoughts in making Friday night’s speech. He had no luck retrieving any of Petty’s remarks following his sixth title. The late Earnhardt’s speech in 1994 likewise wasn’t helpful.

“I expected to see some life-changing thing in there I could attach to my speech; some meaningful moment or whatever,” Johnson said of Earnhardt’s banquet performance.

Table After Two-Year Absence “He was just as nervous as the rest of us. He was rattled, got off the stage and walked away.

“I do recognize I’m in a very unique position (that) only two other men have been in. If I can find a way to mention that tonight, that’s my goal.”

The week’s highlights included the champion’s media tour, participation by all 13 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifiers in Wednesday’s Fanfest Presented by Las Vegas Motor Speedway held at the Fremont Street Experience and Thursday’s annual NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon during which Johnson received the Goodyear Tires Award and Sunoco Diamond Performance Award.

Thursday’s traditional Victory Lap during which NASCAR Sprint Cup stock cars performed burnouts on the famed Las Vegas Boulevard and NASCAR After the LapTM sponsored by Ford and Coca-Cola wrapped the lead-up to Friday night’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ hosted by comedian, actor and radio personality Jay Mohr at Wynn Las Vegas.

FOX Sports 2 and www.NASCAR.com provide coverage ET. Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

About NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States.

NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR Nationwide Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series.

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) governs the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series.

Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe.

For more information, visit www.NASCAR.com and follow NASCAR at www.facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

Host Jay Mohr speaks during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Vegas on December 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Series Champion's Awards Ceremony at Wynn Las

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson, his wife portrait prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Awar

Chandra, daughters Genevieve Marie and Lydia Norriss pose for a rds at Wynn Las Vegas on December 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada

(L-R) Miss Sprint Cup Brooke Werner, Kim Coon and Jaclyn Series Champion's Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on December

Roney arrive on the red carpet for the NASCAR Sprint Cup r 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Matt Kenseth poses for a portrait with his second place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick poses for a portrait with his third place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch poses for a portrait with his fourth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. poses for a portrait with his fifth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon poses for a portrait with his sixth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer poses for a portrait with his seventh place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano poses for a portrait with his eighth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Greg Biffle poses for a portrait with his ninth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch poses for a portrait with his tenth place trophy at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Danica Patrick made history capturing the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to secure the top spot for any race in NASCAR’s premier series. She went on to become the first female to lead laps at the Daytona 500 before finishing eighth.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson poses fo Awards at Wynn Las Vegas on December 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, N

or a portrait prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion's Nevada.

All I want from Christmas is Chr designed for accuracy and proper fit, backed by a limited lifetime warranty and top tier customer service.

I enjoyed the day out in the desert with the guys from BUSHWACKER as you can see by the following pages of pictures.

Now lets look at BELL OFF ROAD with the look you can see on my RAM 2500 on the left page here.

Tis the season for what are they going to get the driver that has everything.

When not driving the KW you all have seen on the show, I have my 1999 RAM 2500.

Make sure you leave copies of CTM with your friends so they can http://belloffroad.com/ spread the word about these prodLocated in Ferndale, WA, Bell ucts I stand behind and hint about Off Road was built out of passion for great gift giving. everything off road.

Bell Off Road has established an extensive network of manwww.bushwacker.com ufacturers and suppliers to offer a complete line of aftermarket parts.

Whether your obsession is Jeeps, trucks or SUVs, mild or extreme, Bell Off Road can get you the top quality parts you want at a price that won’t THEY BUILT A REPUTATION break the bank. as the leading manufacturer of fender By aligning itself with the indusflares and truck accessories on over 40 try's top suppliers and securing access years of design and innovation. From to multiple distribution centers and manthe development of thier first fender ufacturers across the US, with millions flares for the Ford Bronco, to the latest of dollars of parts inventory ready to releases- of passion for style and thier ship, Bell Off Road is able to get you the determination to offer “Simply The parts you need quickly and always at a Best” products and unmatched service great price. continues.

Thier commitment to style and "Bell Off Road was founded to deinnovation is a part of every product liver the industry's top brands to the they make. All designs are meticulously off road enthusiast at a great price scrutinized in every detail, using the lat- while providing excellent customer est standards in design and manufac- service." turing. All Bushwacker products are

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www.snortnboartransport.com

rome by Marc Springer ~ Snortn’ Boar Transport

/www.visionxusa.com

Vision X Lighting,was established in 1997 with the mission to revolutionize the lighting industry.

Since that time, Vision X has created one of the largest premium lighting offerings in the world with hundreds of products and applications.

Now, the military, border patrol, and even NASA have trusted Vision X on vehicles that cannot work with second best. Vision X Lighting's commitment to its customers, dealers and product is unsurpassed.

www.visionxusa.com

Cold is here don’t forget to add XP3 to your Tanks

Visit my Web site to see how to get this amazing fuel saving product.

Happy Holidays and a Great New Year Marc Springer

OPEN CHRISTMAS DAY FOR US !

You’ve heard about the south side of Chicago and a guy named Leroy Brown.

Well, on the north side of St. Louis, Leroy had a counterpart named Joe Willyard. Born in the inner city, Joe was raised by a step-father who didn’t work out any better than the father who’d left soon after his birth. No one taught him to play baseball or took him hunting. There was no father image in his young life and no guidance – just a hole called loneliness.

At the tender age of 13 Joe had a full time interest in alcohol, was an alcoholic by age 14 and was mainlining drugs by 17.

After a short hitch in the army, he celebrated a lonely nineteenth birthday in prison.

Joe came out harder and wilder. He was mean to the core and carried an attitude.

Appropriately, he found employment as a nightclub bouncer.

During this period in his life, his girl-

friend’s brother was killed in a drug deal. Always the protector, Joe agreed to set up the killer for the murdered boy’s father to avenge. When he went to a bar to finger the triggerman, the word of his mission had already gotten around. When he walked out the door, he was the one who got shot. But that was child’s play compared to an episode a few months later. In the bar where he worked, a guy gave a waitress a hard time and Joe called the loudmouth outside to fight. Joe had just taken his fighting stance when he noticed the man pull a gun. The shot exploded into his chest, penetrating his right lung. But before Joe hit the ground, he pulled out his own gun and shot his assailant three times, completely blowing away his stomach.

Only plea-bargaining kept him out of prison again.

Just like in the old westerns, everyone wanted to take on the bad bouncer. So Joe decided to move. In the following years, he experienced one continual bout of drinking and drugs, until he found himself panhandling on the streets of Boston to get enough money for another cheap bottle of white port wine to drink alone.

Joe had been driving a truck on and off since he got out of prison and had been married three times. Ultimately he found himself in a detox center trying to get off booze. He wanted to be free from the bottle but was continually set off by things that drove him back to it.

That’s why on December 26, 1976 he awoke one morning in a mental ward in Milan, Illinois. He was closely guarded because they were afraid that Joe had become as suicidal as he was homicidal. Joe Willard decided at that moment that he’d taken his last drink, and he’s been dry ever since.

But he was still a lost man. Sober but lost. His mother had sent him to Sunday school and church when he was young. He had a head full of facts about God, but his heart was empty.

Although he quit drinking, he was still doing pills and snorting coke.

Right up until May 19, 1984. On that day, a driving rainstorm caused Joe to shut down one night in Bartons, Oklahoma, where he got an overwhelming urge to go to church.

“I walked into that little Pentecostal church alone. And when the pastor gave the call to surrender my life to Jesus Christ, I did. There was no hokey stuff about it. I meant business. I prayed, ‘Lord, show me where to go, what to do and I will obey.”

The saving, cleansing presence of Jesus Christ took up residence in the empty heart of the tough guy from the north side of St. Louis. When he walked back to his truck, he noticed that he was conveniently parked right next to a dumpster. There he dumped the last of his drugs. He might be alone from time to time, but he’d never be lonely again.

Since that time, Joe Willyard’s iden-

tity has been caught up in the person of Jesus Christ. His passion has become introducing others to his Lord.

You may have seen Joe Willyard’s Peterbilt somewhere on the road. It’s the one with the gorgeous mural of the sunset over the ocean painted on the side. On the hood’s painted, “Jesus is my Pilot.” Ont he back’s the decal, “Get right with God or get left.”

Looking back on his own troubled, lonely childhood, Joe urges truckers to commit their lives to the Lord and “train up a child in the way he should go.” He knows that youth cannot get involved in the things of God too early.

The Bible verse that drives him most is found in Luke 14:23: “Go out to the roads…and make them come in” (pg. 87). Truckers have given their hearts to the Lord under the illumination of the big spotlight on Joe’s truck.

“A constant problem facing truckers is loneliness,” says Joe. “The temptation of prostitution lies mainly in just wanting to be with someone, even if it’s just for a few minutes. A woman’s voice on the CB sounds like heaven. It can be a lonely life.”

“Becoming a follower of Jesus means that Satan is taken out and Christ comes in. The lonely spot in all of us is filled with the Son of God. Christ can give all the peace and companionship a man seeks.”