Relatively Speaking: Company Driver Finds Family Through U.S. Xpress
Thanksgiving was extra special this year for Company drivers Thomas and Joseph Salazar. Recently reunited after nearly 20 years of separation, the two recounted how U.S. Xpress played a key role in helping them discover their family ties right before the holidays.
Dropping off a load at the Los Angeles airport, something familiar caught Thomas’ eye as he pulled up beside another U.S. Xpress truck.
“I had seen this particular truck with the phrase ‘Team Salazar’ on the cab’s door at the Colton, Calif., service center on a couple other occasions and had intended to find out who the driver was,” said Thomas. “When I saw it again on this run, something told me I had to find out who this person was.”
Thomas, who had been looking for his father since 1985, approached the cab, found Joseph and asked him about the slogan on the side of his truck. Thomas learned that “Team Salazar” referred to a time when Joseph’s wife rode team with him. As the two talked, their conversation revealed that not only were both men driving for the same company, they were also from the same area of California with the same last name.
Things just started matching up,” said Joseph. “When Thomas told me that he had been looking for his father until he learned of his death last year, I started asking him about his mother. The more he talked the more I realized this young man could be my nephew.”
When Joseph referred to Thomas as “Toppers”, a nickname he had given him as a child, Joseph said Thomas couldn’t believe his ears. With eyes of disbelief, joy and relief, the two embraced for “at least 20 minutes,” according to Thomas.
“I can’t tell you how excited we were and still are,” said Thomas. “You’d think it couldn’t get any better than that but it did.”
Joseph could hardly wait to tell his nephew that Thomas’ father, Joseph’s brother, was indeed alive and had ridden on his truck as a passenger only one week prior to this happy occasion. With the help of capacity managers Floyd Mathis and Ruben Machado, the Salazars were able to gather together for a huge family reunion where Thomas met his three younger siblings for the first time.
“It’s been a long journey to get to where we are today,” said Thomas.
“For those who would say fate reunited our family, I say
it’s a blessing from God,” said Joseph. “And to
think that our paths crossed out on the road working for
U.S. Xpress is incredible. It definitely played a big
part in giving this story a happy ending.”
