On November 10, 2023, five Crete Carrier Corporation drivers received their individually custom-wrapped Patriot Fleet trucks. The trucks recognize each driver’s military record and driving career. The trucks are intended to honor the roughly 1,400 veterans employed by Crete Carrier & Shaffer Trucking and be moving monuments to the service of all veterans across the nation. Meet the Patriot Fleet Class of 2023.
Larry Cole
United States Army
Larry Cole has been driving with Crete Carrier 4 years and is also a driver trainer. His driving career began in 1992, and he’s accumulated 5 million miles. Larry served 8 years in the U.S. Army. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2010. Larry and his wife Casey have 3 children. He was nominated to be a Patriot Fleet driver by the Kansas City fleets team, and says, “I love the fact this company honors its veterans.”
Paul Naylor
United States Army / National Guard
Paul Naylor started his driving career in 2005 and he’s driven 2.5 million miles. Paul has been with Crete Carrier for 11 years and was nominated to be a Patriot Fleet driver by the Lenoir City fleets team. Paul served 11 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard as a combat medic. Paul “loves to drive” and enjoys the opportunity to see the country. “I've seen the amber waves of grain sitting in Kansas in the middle of a wheat field. And the purple mountains majesty. And it brought tears to my eyes first time I saw the Statue of Liberty.” When Paul has down time, he enjoys spending time with his grandkids.
Robert "Bob" Stockton
United States Navy / Army
Bob Stockton grew up in a military family, moving to various posts around the world. He developed a love of travel which continued through his own military career, serving 4 years in the U.S. Navy and 12 years in the U.S. Army. He started driving in 2013, another opportunity to see the country. He’s driven 1.5 million career miles and been with Crete Carrier for 6 years. Bob and his wife Joyce have been married 14 years and have 6 children, one currently serving in the military. He was nominated to be a Patriot Fleet driver by the Mechanicsburg fleets team. He was “Very surprised. I called truck assignments to find out what the process was, and they said, you go through your fleet. Angie, who's a manager in Mechanicsburg, put me in for it.”
Eric Weaver
United States Air Force
Eric Weaver served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force over a 20-year period, including service during Desert Storm. He retired as a Crew Chief in 1996. Eric has held a variety of driving jobs but has been an over the road driver with Crete Carrier since 2016. He’s driven more than 1.5 million miles during his career and earned his 6-year Safe Driving Award in May of 2023. He says, “The thing about driving the truck is I get the opportunity to see the country that I was serving for. Most people never get to see the country.” Eric was nominated to be a Patriot Fleet driver by the Cheyenne fleets team. Eric and his wife Darla have been married 43 years and have 2 children and 8 grandchildren.
Gary Wells
United States Navy
Gary Wells has driven more than 3 million miles during his 26-year driving career. He’s driven for Crete Carrier for 3 years and was nominated to be a Patriot Fleet driver by the Cheyenne fleets team. Gary served 8 years in the U.S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Canopus in England and Charleston, South Carolina. Gary is proud of his military service, and says the experience helped make him a successful driver. He says, “One of the first things I learned in the military was teamwork, and that's how I consider this job. I can't be successful without the team that supports me. And I have a great team that supports me.”