Generally, the purpose of camouflage is to help the wearer to better blend in with their surroundings. Employees at Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. have taken that definition and turned it upside down. The company, which is one of the nation’s largest propane distributors, will roll out its new camouflage bobtail truck in Fort Benning, Ga. this week in recognition of the men and women serving in the military.
The specially designed bobtail has been painted in camouflage colors as part of an innovative fund-raising campaign launched by Ferrellgas to raise funds for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (CFPF) — a charity that provides scholarships to children of military personnel killed in action. In addition to a $2,500 contribution to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Ferrellgas also will donate 1 cent for every gallon of propane pumped through the camouflage bobtail each year.
Ferrellgas, which employs more than 500 veterans nationwide, including its Chairman James E. Ferrell, created the camouflage bobtail to honor the memory of Army Cpl. Benjamin Ashley, who was killed in action in Iraq in May 2007. Cpl. Ashley’s mother-in-law, Lynne Hicks, is a Ferrellgas employee in Liberty, Mo.
“We make no secret about our support for our men and women in uniform and we’re proud to have so many of them now wearing the Ferrellgas uniform,” said Steve Wambold, Ferrellgas president and chief executive officer. “We can never repay them for their service to us all, but we’re going to keep finding new ways to try.”
“The Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is grateful for this opportunity,” said David Kim, president and founder of CFPF. “This camo bobtail is a wonderful symbol to the families who lost a loved one defending our freedom that Americans everywhere are grateful for their sacrifice.”
The camouflage bobtail will be dedicated to Cpl. Ashley during a special celebration Tuesday, July 13, at Fort Benning. Ferrellgas leaders, including Jim Ferrell, and representatives from the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation will be on-hand to unveil the new truck to members of the Ashley and Hicks families for the very first time.
Following to the ceremony, Jim Ferrell, who attended infantry leadership school in the Fort Benning area, will address students from his former school.
“The time I spent in Fort Benning was a formative experience and a key contributor to my success in business,” said Ferrell. “By supporting organizations like the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation we hope to play a role in helping other young people achieve their goals.”
"The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning appreciates the support to Army Soldiers and their Families,” said Fort Benning Deputy Chief of Staff Selby Rollinson, “especially the Children of Fallen Soldiers Foundation by Ferrellgas and its employees. Just as former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell proudly states, "It was at Fort Benning that [he] learned about leadership," we are thrilled to have a prominent civic and corporate leader and former Infantryman like Mr. Ferrell address our Infantry Lieutenants about leadership.”
The camouflage bobtail is the newest of several charity trucks launched by Ferrellgas throughout the country to help support various causes, including medical research, United Service Organizations (USO) and community initiatives. To learn more about Ferrellgas charity trucks, visit http://www.ferrellgas.com/Our-Company/Charity-Trucks.