Veteran – veteransrideshare

Nov 15 2019

VRS Delivers Family Heirloom, Saves the Day

When an antique family heirloom needed to be shipped from Colorado to Texas, sisters Chris and Pat looked at options. “This secretary is almost 100 years old,” shares Pat. “It belonged to my grandparents back when they got married on New Year’s Day in 1921. When my mother passed away and we were going to put my dad into independent living, the six of us girls divided up his beholdings. This piece went with my sister, Chris.”

Imagine Pat’s surprise when Chris decided to remodel her home and wanted to pass the piece on to one of her sisters. Pat agreed that she wanted it, so they discovered UShip.

Pat shares, “We decided on a shipper and set up a date, and paid him with money pending. He was a no-show, so we had to start all over again.”

When the sisters put out a second request for a quote, Veterans Rideshare was the first to respond. Naturally, Chris and Pat were apprehensive because of their previous negative experience, but something felt different this time. Pat explains, “We coordinated with Thomas first, and then with Chris Pozek. When we found out about the veteran connection, we felt this was where we needed to be.

Why Military Service Mattered

Chris and Pat’s father served in the Army Air Corps, which later became the Air Force. He was a fighter pilot and POW during WWII, and once released, he returned to Texas. It was there that he met his wife at a USO dance. As Pat laughs, “And then six daughters later…ha! My dad was a tough soul, but he led a good life.” After more than 27 years, he retired as an Air Force Lt. Col.

Veterans Rideshare is veteran-owned and operated, and our founder and president, Chris Pozek, was eager to help the sisters out. He provided a $25 rebate since their money was still pending from the first vendor who fell through. As Pat explains, “We felt like Chris was making every good faith effort to keep our business.”

The secretary was delivered within a matter of days, and arrived in mint condition. Pat recalls, “As a military family, we had to move 11 times. This is why my parents never had good furniture! But the secretary was handled with care, and wrapped well, and arrived without a single scratch.”

Pat has been more than pleased to hire Veterans Rideshare. In her words, she would rate everything as a “10-10-10-10,” and that she would recommend VRS to anyone with shipping needs.

Listen to Pat’s Review Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RPGCUh-4C8

Sep 01 2019

VRS Replaces Child’s Stolen Batman Car Seat

Military moves are always stressful, complicated, hopeful, and bittersweet.

Recently the Coopers, a USMC family of six, relocated from Hawaii to California on military orders. They farewelled friends, shipped their car, watched their belongings get boxed up, and brought just enjoy clothing and toys to live out of suitcases for weeks on end.

After making the long flight from Hawaii, they stayed in a California hotel while they secured housing and waited for their goods to arrive.

Sebastian Cooper (3) with his original Batman car seat, before it was stolen.

The Coopers carried their most important documents with them, to include medical information, marriage and birth certificates, USMC uniforms, and medals. One of the children, Sebastian (3) had to say “see you soon” to most of his toys, but was comforted because he still had his new Batman car seat with him during the transition.

The Coopers owned the only cars in the hotel parking lot with Hawaii license plates. Suspecting they were targeted, a thief broke into one of their vehicles, took the family’s important documents, uniforms, new pots and pans, military medals, and Sebastian’s favorite Bat Man car seat. The items were then moved into their other vehicle — a paid off Toyota Camry — which was then stolen.

Naturally, the Coopers were shaken and devastated by the loss and invasion of privacy. Losing a vehicle and such important belongings and documents made their move even more difficult.

VRS Reaches Out

When Veterans Rideshare Inc. heard of this, we reached out to support the Cooper family. We offered transportation solutions, replaced their lost pots and pans, and even sent Sebastian a new car seat. Watch below to see his reaction!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhf0Q8hypsE

If you’d like to help the Cooper family as they pick up the pieces from this travesty, a GoFundMe account is located here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/usmc-cooper-family-support

A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” former Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Veterans Rideshare, Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, and supporting the military community.

Jul 29 2019

VRST Driver & Veteran, Garners Attention with Patriotic Semi Truck

VRS Trucking Driver and Army Veteran, Robert Brock, is driving the most patriotic semi truck across America that you’ll ever see. Better yet? It’s breaking barriers and gaining the attention of active-duty service members, veterans and civilians alike.

The 53′ semi truck features murals on either side, hand painted by our VRS Trucking Driver Support Team. The concept of the art was designed by Starla Wheeler, military spouse and VRS team member.

The truck, in its early stages, as our Driver Support Team begins the mural at VetFest, in May 2019.

One side of the truck features the U.S. flag, and the white stripes are substituted for camo from each of four military branches. Additionally, there are saluting silhouettes of a service member from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

The other side of the truck is black and white with a message that VRS Trucking Remembers, Honors, and Supports Veterans.

Army Veteran Robert Brock was chosen to take the truck on its maiden voyage. When he stopped at the Clearbrook Restaurant in Virginia, which caters to several Veterans, our truck gained a great deal of attention and sparked conversation. Robert took photos of the four Veterans at the restaurant, and Veterans Rideshare decided to go the extra mile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6ZZr82PMyM

To thank these men for their selfless service by giving them each a free meal and a $50 Visa gift card. To thank other Veterans for their support of our great nation, we’re buying a meal for 20 more Veterans (especially those in need) from the Clearbrook Restaurant.

Veterans from the Clearbrook Restaurant in VA. From L to R: (L to R) Ronnie, Eddie, Roger and AJ.

As Robert headed back to the West Coast, he passed some troops at a rest stop, working on one of their vehicles. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Robert turned his truck around at the next stop, and pulled off at the rest stop. He didn’t hesitate to meet the 336 Batalion out of Buckeye, AZ and thank them for their service.

The 336 Batalion out of Buckeye, AZ, salutes in front of our VRST semi truck.

Robert shares, “It was 116 degrees and these soldiers were changing a wheel seal on one of their vehicles. I was so impressed with these soldiers. A lady passed out from the heat and they immediately ran to her aid, revived her, and made sure she was fine. As if that were not enough, the Captain allowed some of his men to pose for me and allow VRST the honor to salute those who keep us safe at home and abroad.”

Tune into Robert’s interview with Jackie Toops, to hear about the truck’s maiden voyage, and learn all his dream.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg048xj52ao

A self-described “Jackie of All Trades,” Army wife Jackie Toops enjoys exploring the various facets of her personality by chronicling military life, world travels, family, her love of the arts and more. Her academic background is in the fields of Interdisciplinary Humanities, Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management, and she has overseen public relations for museums, galleries and universities. Jackie’s articles have been featured on Veterans Rideshare, Army Wife 101, Wall Street International Magazine, SoFluential, HomeAway, Military Biz Connection and FamiliesGo. While stationed in Germany, she regularly discussed her articles on-air with the Armed Forces Network in Wiesbaden. A mother of two, Jackie enjoys coffee, freelance writing, and supporting the military community.