Pictured above is James Rogers, a 11-year Army Veteran from Missouri, who is now a long-haul driver. He realized his dream of being an owner-operator when he received the first commercial truck awarded through a partnering program called Keys to Progress. Rogers' service took him to Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, and Afghanistan, where he suffered a spinal injury. Since 2013, Progressive’s Keys to Progress® program has provided more than 500 vehicles to veterans and veteran organizations. This year we expanded the Keys to Progress program by awarding the rst commercial vehicle, a refurbished, fully loaded Freightliner® rig.“This blessing gave me a push into the future,” Rogers said. “I wanted to be a business owner— not only to work for myself, but to help others.” His Story

“We just got back from doing a convoy mission, and were breaking everything down, getting ready to debrief,” he said. “Then we started receiving enemy fire."

“My platoon was a Quick Reaction Force (QRF). We went into a defensive position. Our gunner had trouble, and I jumped out of the side of the truck to help him. A mortar, or rocket or something hit the other side. It blew me off the truck,” he said. “It was like a slow-motion video,” he described. “I was flying through the air, reaching for something. I woke up inside the medical aid station and was there for a few days.” Wanting to be with his “guys,” he returned to his platoon and served in the army for another ve years until he medically retired in 2014. Years after the blast, the VA noticed an excess amount of scar tissue and determined that Rogers suffered a compression fracture in his back. Rogers suffered both physically and mentally through his long recovery—until things got better. A Blessing

“I knew there was something bigger out there that I needed to do. I needed to find it,” he said. “What was missing in my life was a sense of commitment and giving back. I missed serving. I missed wearing a uniform,” he said. “With trucking, I’m doing the same thing, except not in uniform, as with boots across the water,” he said. “You’re providing a living for the rest of the country,” he explained. “Over 70 percent of American goods are moved by truck. You’re talking about [almost] everything you touch daily. And, at the end, it’s taken away by a garbage truck. It’s amazing that some people don’t look at it that way. “Reminds me of the military,” he said. “Getting back into it [trucking] turned out to be the best healing event in my life." All Access Insurance is happy to represent a company like Progressive for the difference they are making in the lives of others. Are you looking to start a trucking business or know someone who is? We'd love to give them a quote. Keeping you protected.   Rick   All Access Insurance in Littleton, CO,  who represents multiple insurance companies as a “Broker” and provides products for auto, home,  commercial, workers compensation, and much more! Call us today for a free quote at (303) 932-1700