Fleet of Heroes 2026: Honoring Veterans Through Two Military Tribute Trucks
On November 5, 2026, veterans, team members, family members, and community partners gathered at Knight Transportation’s Phoenix Corporate Office for the Fleet of Heroes Ceremony. There, Knight unveiled two new military tribute trucks honoring our nation’s veterans.
The newest additions to the Fleet of Heroes program, The Spirit of Freedom and The Trailblazer, made history as the first two Fleet of Heroes trucks introduced at the same ceremony.
The Fleet of Heroes program pays tribute to U.S. military veterans through custom-designed trucks that share stories of service, sacrifice, and patriotism. Knight veteran drivers proudly operate each truck and carry that mission across America’s highways.
Watch the recap video below to see the drivers’ emotional reactions and relive a ceremony that honored veterans from every military branch.
What is Fleet of Heroes?
The Fleet of Heroes program is Knight Transportation’s tribute to the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Through a growing fleet of custom-wrapped trucks, we bring their stories to life. Each design honors the service, sacrifice, and legacy of America’s military heroes.
At the heart of the program are military veterans who continue serving others through professional driving careers. Each Fleet of Heroes truck is entrusted to a selected Knight veteran driver who proudly represents our company and our military.
As these trucks travel highways across America, they serve as moving tributes of gratitude and remembrance. Most importantly, they help ensure the sacrifices of our veterans are never forgotten.
The Spirit of Freedom
The Spirit of Freedom is the eighth military tribute truck in Knight Transportation’s Fleet of Heroes program. It is the first Fleet of Heroes truck dedicated to honoring service members from every branch of the United States Armed Forces.
This Truck Features:
- Powerful military imagery
- Patriotic colors
- Signatures from America’s Founding Fathers
- The Declaration of Independence
This custom 2027 Model 579 Peterbilt celebrates courage, unity, and sacrifice. It also commemorates America’s 250th anniversary and honors those who have protected our nation throughout history.
Premium Features and Truck Specifications:
- UltraLoft sleeper
- EPIQ aerodynamic package
- Cummins X15 engine
- Eaton Endurant 12-speed transmission
- PACCCAR DX-40 axles
Take a Closer Look at The Spirit of Freedom
Meet Knight Veteran Driver, Anthony Evans
Meet the retired Army Veteran selected to drive this powerhouse Peterbilt.
Anthony Evans, a Phoenix Refrigerated driver, retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service as a Sergeant First Class (E-7).
Anthony has logged more than 1.4 million miles with Knight Transportation and is affectionately known as “A-Team” by his Driver Manager and Operations team.
Military service runs deep in Anthony’s family. His grandfather was killed in action during World War II, making this honor especially meaningful. Anthony shared that being selected as a Fleet of Heroes driver meant the world to him and his family. He was joined at the ceremony by his wife and mother-in-law.
"When I saw the truck drive up, I was speechless. It was very emotional."
Anthony Evans, Phoenix Refrigerated Driver
The Trailblazer
The Trailblazer is the ninth military tribute truck in Knight Transportation’s Fleet of Heroes program. More importantly, it is the first Fleet of Heroes truck dedicated to honoring America’s military women.
The idea originated with Marcia Luchenbill, the El Paso Knight Driver selected to operate the truck. During the planning process, she proposed a tribute to the courageous women who shaped our nation’s military history.
As the vision took shape, the Military Women’s Memorial helped bring the project to life. Their team guided Knight Marketing in selecting historical figures and photographs featured on the truck.
We extend a special thank you to Britta Granrud and Marilla Cushman for their support and expertise. Their contributions helped ensure this tribute accurately reflects the service and sacrifice of military women.
This Truck Features:
- A historical timeline from the American Revolution to today
- The 6888th Central Postal Directory
- Medal of Honor recipient
- Historical Military Women
- Statistics highlighting the impact of women in military service
- And much more
This custom 2027 VNL 860 Volvo celebrates the trailblazing women who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations.
Premium Features & Truck Specifications:
- 74-inch high-roof cab
- Volvo’s largest sleeper
- Large refrigerator
- Reclining lower bunk
- Advanced heating and cooling systems
- Active driver assist technology
- And much more
As this truck travels highways across America, it will carry their stories forward and honor the generations of women who proudly served our country.
See the Story Behind The Trailblazer
Meet Knight Veteran Female Driver, Marcia Luchenbill
Meet the Army Veteran selected to drive this impressive Volvo.
Marcia served four years in the U.S. Army as an E-4 Specialist.
She has also achieved more than 700,000 safe miles with Knight Transportation and was named 2026 TCA Driver of the Year.
Marcia was accompanied by her Terminal Manager, Isaac Madero.
Marcia lived in New York City but wanted a greater sense of purpose. She joined the military, served in Germany, and discovered a love for travel. After her military service, trucking offered a way to keep exploring.
"From the Revolutionary War to the present, women have stepped up. We're not sitting on the sidelines. We're supporting the combat soldiers. Yes, women can do the job, and we do it really well."
Marcia Luchenbill, El Paso Driver
Message from CEO, Adam Miller
During the ceremony, Knight Transportation CEO Adam Miller reflected on the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.
“When I think about the men and women who have served our country, I just think about their mentality of service over self. They put themselves at risk for the safety of our country. I just think about what we can do and how we can remember the fallen and be grateful for those that continue to support our way of life that many can take for granted.”
The Designer Behind the Designs
A special thank you goes to Ryan Wolf, Knight’s graphic designer since 2021, for bringing both Knight Transportation Fleet of Heroes truck designs to life. Ryan’s creativity and attention to detail helped transform these trucks into powerful tributes that honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military men and women.
“It’s always cool to see a design you’ve been staring at on a little computer come to life like that. This was particularly special, because so many people have such an emotional connection to the topic.” – Ryan Wolf, Knight Graphic Designer
His work continues to play a key role in showcasing the Knight brand and telling meaningful stories through design.
Special Thanks to Our Partners & Supporters
We extend our sincere gratitude to the sponsors and partners who helped make the unveiling of our newest Fleet of Heroes trucks possible.
Our Sponsors
Through their generous support, these organizations helped fund and bring to life our two newest Fleet of Heroes trucks.
Event Supporters
We also want to thank the volunteers and organizations that helped make the ceremony a memorable success:
- Arizona Patriot Guard Riders for providing the ceremonial escort.
- Deer Valley High School Air Force Junior ROTC for serving as the Color Guard and presenting the Colors.
- Camryn Johnson from Hilltop School of Performing Arts for singing the National Anthem.
- Military Assistance Mission (MAM) for partnering with us during this year’s event and supporting the Christmas Toy Drive.
- Royal Installs for assisting with the truck wrap installations.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, and volunteers for helping honor America’s military heroes.
Fleet of Heroes Ceremony
Thank You, Veterans
As the Spirit of Freedom and Trailblazer travel highways across America, they will serve as moving tributes to the veterans who have sacrificed for our nation. At Knight Transportation, we are proud to honor their stories, preserve their legacy, and remind future generations that their service will not be forgotten.
Watch the full Fleet of Heroes 2026 recap video to hear from the veteran drivers, see their emotional first reactions, and experience the ceremony that celebrated those who served our nation.
