Some background info - keep up the great work!
One proud trucker
Canadian Forces Army News ^ | 2007-09-28 | Sgt Robert Comeau and Cpl Tom Parker
Posted on 29-September-2007 8:12:08 AM by Clive
WHITBY, Ontario — Thanks to the initiative of a trucker from Cobourg, drivers who regularly commute along the 401 will now have something to think about on their travels between Montreal and Cobourg.
In honour of the Year of the Veteran, which was commemorated in 2005, Larry Josie, an independent trucker, had his vehicle emblazoned with vinyl artwork.
A veteran himself, Mr. Josie found a unique way to support the Canadian troops in Afghanistan. As the owner of a tractor-trailor for the past 18 months, he had been dreaming of giving his vehicle a new look, and began to do some research on the Internet.
That's when he discovered Sign Design, a company based in Whitby, Ontario. The company emblazes vinyl graphics on vehicles like his. Following a meeting with artist Chris McGregor, Mr Josie's project began to take shape.
After an exhaustive search of the National Defence and Combat Camera Web sites, a sketch was presented to the trucker in which the artist succeeded in portraying the lives of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. The photo of a CF soldier in Afghanistan served as the inspiration for one of the silhouettes on the rear doors of the truck. In order to accomplish this project, company employee Loretta Janes donated a photo of her son-in-law.
Even though he disagrees with the war in Afghanistan, Mr. Josie unconditionally supports the Canadian soldiers, their families and friends.
"If I provide moral support to the soldiers, and can put a smile on their faces, my mission is accomplished," he explained.
Mr Josie added that the comments he gets at the truck stops, the honking on the 401, and the number of looks people cast at his tractor trailer are all very rewarding.
Some people who support his initiative have helped to defray the high cost of the artwork. He explained that the names of the people wishing to support his cause with a donation would be inscribed on the back of his truck.
To learn more about this project, you can contact Mr. Josie by e-mail at
[email protected].
Article by Sergeant Robert Comeau Photos by Corporal Tom Parker
Hi everyone.My name is Larry Josie and i have a truck thats dedicated to our serveing troops .and our Vets..Its known as the Poppy Truck.Its been around now for just over a year for the trailer..3 yrs.with the truck(2005 Year of the Vetran)you can see more about it at www.thepoppytruck.ca Im new to this site..it was recommended to me by a mother of a fallen soldier.People have asked me to do base tours ect. and have been to 3 already.People are also wondering why the military hasn't jumped all over this truck just for pr. and recruitment.but the reason im here is that i would like to get a job or a contract with my truck,with the military but have been getting nowhere for the past 3 months.I even talked to Jim Flaherty about it and he said he would look into it...no response yet.im out of work now and there is a danger that i might go bankrupt and a lot of people have said they would not want to see that happen.I have many feelers out there to try and get somekind of contact #or someone to contact me(905-960-2680)to help with this matter.So if there is someone out there that could help,could you please contact me or give my # to someone.My email is [email protected] getting desperate...this truck is so popular right across Canada.Hope to hear from someone soon..Larry Josie 
