A MEANINGFUL LIFE - Howard Salmon

A MEANINGFUL LIFE

Legend Nominee: Howard Salmon

When I was able to speak with this Legend driver, I had to squeeze in every second possible. Even after 34 years in the trucking business, his schedule hasn’t slowed down in the slightest. When Howard Salmon is not away on the road in his 1990 W900 Kenworth, he is home with his wife, Mary and son, Liam. 3-year old, Liam James is their grandnephew that has been with the couple since birth, with his adoption official in August of 2018. Howard explains how having a young toddler to raise has kept him young, on-the-go, and makes everything that much more exciting.

Throughout our interview, Howard discusses how the trucking industry pushed him to mature and evolve into the man his family needs. He offers advice for veterans searching for a new career field; we go down memory lane as he touches on his hobbies of restoring trucks and antique vehicles; as well as, his passion for music. As a singer songwriter, traveling the country in a semi-truck for a living, given the wonderful sights and ability to connect with people from all corners of the nation, coupled with his experience serving in the military, have all influenced his musical career. Singing has been an outlet for Howard, where he can convey his emotions as a story teller through lyrical expression. He names artists, such as, George Jones and Merle Haggard as musicians that have shaped his genre of music.

Before writing songs and working in his shop with a kid prodigy at his pant side, Howard began hauling heavy equipment at age 17, as a soldier in the U.S. Army. With his parents’ consent, he enlisted in 1976, a junior in high school and continued his education until he graduated while stationed overseas in Korea. Howard served as a recovery specialist, that’s when he initially became invested in driving heavy machinery and transporting over-sized loads. He spent the next year in the National Guard, followed by another four in the Air Force, from 1980 to 1984.

LUCKY BREAK

Once out of the military and back home in California, Howard bumped into a gentleman at a repair shop that was also an Air Force veteran. The guy was in need of a driver to fill the truck Howard was admiring, a 1976 Peterbilt cabover. Howard took the semi out for a test drive, upon his return, he was immediately hired on – launching his career as an over-the-road trucker. He remained with the owner operator for a few months and took on additional work from a local broker. His broker put him in contact with a trucking company that specialized in freight transportation services and hauling cargo. For seven years, Howard ran long-haul for their operation, logging over a million miles during that time period.

It was also when big rigs did not have up-to-date features as accommodating as today’s tractors. There was zero power steering without the convenience of air conditioning. He later switched to running local, working for a business operating cement mixers, dump trucks, and transfers.

In 1994, he met Mary during a delivery at a warehouse where she was employed. Their first date was a Collin Raye concert; the beginning of a very eventful, fun, and spontaneous relationship. The two wed in 1995. Six months afterwards, Mary suggested that her husband buy his own truck and go to work for himself. Howard then purchased a 1990 Kenworth T660, establishing Salmon Trucking. Working under his own authority, he became an independent operator running the west coast; as far south as Arizona, back through California, on up to Oregon.

Howard was typically out 1 to 2 months at a time, and back home for a few days. The couple relocated to Hawaii for a year, which Howard’s schedule then shifted to 2 to 3 months over-the-road with home-time in Hawaii for up to 4 weeks. With the birth of their granddaughter, they returned to California, but still visit Hawaii often.

WITH PRIDE

With well over 4-million lifetime miles over the course of 34 years, Howard says the trucking industry continues to progress, but it’s the chivalry of the drivers that has transformed the most.

“I come from the era when old school drivers were hailed as the heroes of the highway. They weren’t just steering wheel holders; they were well respected. Even kids admired them, now you hardly see kids wanting horns blown or anything of that nature. That’s why it’s important to me that Liam is comfortable in and around my truck. I want him to know how to fix things, and how to eventually drive them. He’s fascinated by all of it so I want to feed him every bit of information I can, then maybe he will help us keep this little dream alive.”

Pulling over on the side of the road to help another driver; carry on conversations at truck stops; the common courtesy among truckers from the earlier days of trucking are not completely lost in vain. The comraderie shared between strangers, all familiar with the lifestyle of a trucker will forever be the glue that binds the trucking community. We just have to remember, we’re in this together.

The most memorable advice Howard received was to never own more trucks than you can drive yourself. Meaning, that way you can fully appreciate and dedicate what is required for each truck and driver to succeed. Whether it’s one truck or ten, dedication is the key to achieving success. Howard also encourages independent operators to step outside of their comfort zones, when it comes to traveling. When he and Mary first started Salmon Trucking, the two remained in the areas they were familiar. Howard explains, “That was our biggest learning curve, to venture out beyond our regular areas. We had to push ourselves to go to places that we have never been. Afterwards, I remember thinking, why didn’t we do this sooner?”

The biggest step in his trucking career was making ‘the leap’ – “Being an independent operator, means no longer having to take orders from up the chain. I recommend any driver to take that risk if or when they grow tired of running as a company driver. Just the freedom to be your own boss and making your own schedule. All of it for me leads to more quality time at home, which is the most important part,” he said. One word Howard uses to describe his journey thus far is, rewarding. From the many people he has met along the way to the different places he has visited, every day in the truck is a great day to be in his shoes. Adding,

“I love what I do. I’m proud to be a truck driver and own my own business. Driving a truck is a blessing! It has provided me and my family with a good life, and I’m thankful for every bit of it.”

POSITIVE SPACE

Speaking to military veterans, Howard suggests the field of trucking as an open refuge for any who seeks solitude. Stating, the road is a good place to clear your head. He adds that veterans make great assets as truck drivers due to their self-discipline, problem-solving skills, and overall work ethic. The trucking industry strives to make the transition for veterans smooth and beneficial, while also providing an avenue for them to continue their service to our country. The similarities of both careers offer a brotherhood, service to others, and a lifestyle with an opportunity to better oneself.

Howard lives near a river with a park across from their house, where he and Liam go to explore. Liam’s bedroom is decorated with model cars hanging on the walls. He has his own personal work bench that he tends to while Howard works on his latest projects. Together, they hang out in the shop passing tools as Liam recites the title of each. Howard grew up in the same atmosphere, his father rebuilt vehicles and raced cars during the early 60’s.

In 2018, Howard purchased a 1940 Chevrolet CEO truck with a 16-foot bed from a museum. The vintage cabover joins the reigns of many from years prior: 1955 Buick, 1968 Malibu, and a 1940 Dodge Business Coupe, just to name a few of the classics. When the guys aren’t in the shop working as mechanics, Liam enjoys riding their John Deere tractor. He’s a pure country boy at heart with his eyes set on trucks.

“I never had a child of my own, so when this opportunity was given to us, we couldn’t say no. Liam has brought so much happiness into our lives.”

GET TO KNOW THE ARTIST

As a recording artist, music is Howard’s passion. It’s his heart penned in words of message and a way of connecting people of all ages. He began playing the guitar while in the Air Force, then joined the church choir. He wrote his first song in 1992 titled, ‘Who Would They Look Up To’ – addressing the importance of parents and role models for children. The song was recorded with his second-grade students of his Trucker Buddy program.

“I want to plant a seed in each kid, leaving them with a positive lifetime impression that they will always remember. Then, hopefully they can pass it on to their generations to follow.”

He went on to record two albums, both featuring many of his original songs and collaborations with artists within the trucking industry. His songs are requested on XM Radio and have seen much success to the likeness of our listening audience. You can view his music videos on YouTube.

I wanted to highlight Howard’s musical background for all of his followers, so they can get to know the artist a bit better…

If you could sing a duet with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

“Garth Brooks or George Straight, because they are both such talented story tellers. They’re not just singing words, there is something being told behind their songs that engages people.”

You’re stranded on an island, name 3 items you would take with you:

“First, something to provide a way off! And I’d take my family… I’d be okay as long as I was stranded with them.”

You’re a superhero, who are you and why?

“Batman, because Liam likes when I say… ‘I’m Batman!’ – in his Batman voice.”

Let’s say you just hit the lottery, what’s the first item of purchase?

“I don’t really need anything… maybe a nice quiet place for my family to visit and relax. I would donate most to charity, that’s a given!”

And there we have it; Howard is as genuine as the songs he composes. By creating a life of passion, is to live in abundance of joy.