Challenger Goes the Distance for Employee

August 14, 2007   I would like to thank Challenger Motor Freight for what they have done for me and our country. For those of you who don't know, Challenger Motor Freight is a trucking company based in Cambridge.

I have been employed in the Maintenance Department for five years. In April, I received an e-mail advertising for civilian trades people for the Canadian Military in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

The Department of National Defense was contracting out 205 different one-year positions to work alongside with - and free up - our military. This struck a chord with me; here was my chance to give back and show my support for our military, using my trade as a heavy duty mechanic.

The problem was that Challenger is a very good company to work for and I did not want to quit. After explaining my reasons for what I wanted to do, I asked for a leave of absence and the company granted that leave.

I've been working here in Kandahar Airfield for almost two months and it is as fulfilling of an experience that I thought it would be, and I know I have my job waiting for me when I get back to Canada.

Challenger's motto is "We go the distance". It might be meant for their customers but I think it proves that it also applies to their employees.

I would like to say thank you Challenger from myself, and my family, for their support.

I also need to thank my family and friends for their e-mails and support during this year away from home.

Ed Carter
Kandahar Airfield Base
Afghanistan (Cambridge)

Reprinted with permission from the Cambridge Times