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Dear Editor: My name is Stephanie Orem. I am writing this letter on behalf of Lynda Stockton, a Navy veteran and current truck driver. I am, a non-driver supporting the industry and many other suffering truck drivers across our nation.

Trucking is an industry in distress, and it is by far the most essential business in our country. Without trucks and truckers critical medical equipment will not be moved to doctors and hospitals. Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and our everyday needs we take for granted will not be delivered to our stores for our comfort and needs. These drivers need help out here on the roads, quite like the way truckers step up in times of disasters and now pandemics. Our prices in the store are going up, and drivers’ pay is dropping to the point a large number of small business owner operators and independents cannot stay open and run their trucks.

This letter is to inform you of a little-known event going right now in Washington, D.C. Today (Wednesday, May 13) is Day 13 of a protest held by the truck drivers of America. Some of these folks have been here parked on Constitution Avenue for one day short of two weeks.

This is a very important issue that the nation needs to know about because it affects each and every single one of us in our everyday lives. If these drivers, these owner-operators and independents do indeed have to shut their business doors, that covers approximately 85% of all truck drivers in America.

President Trump has acknowledged the fact that we are here, but he has not yet made an effort to step out or send anyone out to find out the grievances and do what needs to be done to help these drivers on the road. They intend to stay until contact is made or change is made. The DOT or FMCSA has not sent out anyone either to address these drivers, and they are the ones in charge of all of the laws and regulations placed upon these drivers. Stephanie Orem Farmville