Oshkosh Truck Turns Out To Support Local National Guard Unit's Deployment Company Contributes to Support Soldiers' Families

OSHKOSH, WIS.--Sept. 26, 2002-- Oshkosh Truck Corporation's President of Defense John Stoddart will join Gov. Scott McCallum, senior Wisconsin National Guard officers and other officials at a formal send-off ceremony today at the Oshkosh National Guard armory for the Oshkosh-based 1157th Transportation Company.

One hundred fifty members of the 1157th will begin one year of active duty September 27, as ordered by President Bush last month. This partial mobilization provides support for Operation Enduring Freedom, the military campaign to combat terrorism, and Operation Noble Eagle, which provides homeland defense and security operations.

"The 1157th is based in our hometown, so it is our friends, neighbors and several fellow employees who we are seeing off today," said Stoddart. "As an American and a resident of this community, I am proud of their commitment to serve our country and pleased to have an opportunity to show our appreciation and support for these soldiers."

Three Oshkosh employees are among the 150 who will be deployed.

Stoddart will make a contribution on behalf of Oshkosh Truck to the unit's family assistance program to help ease some of the financial hardships many soldiers' families experience during this deployment.

"Having served in the U.S. Army, I know that as these soldiers go off to do this nation's duty they will worry about their families at home, even though they will be the ones in harm's way. This contribution is an effort to help ease their concerns," said Stoddart.

Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the defense, fire and emergency, concrete placement and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce, McNeilus, Medtec, Geesink and Norba brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $1.45 billion in fiscal 2001.