Long-haul truck drivers may be the most under-appreciated people in America.

Many of us had a front-row view of this profession at work over the Thanksgiving holiday, as millions of Americans hit the open road to spend time with friends and family.

Clark County residents are no different. Here at The Sun, we get dozens of trucks each week, all hauling precious cargo to produce and distribute newspapers and advertising.

Truck drivers’ ears are probably constantly burning as they take a lot of abuse from fellow motorists.

On the road, no one draws more venom than those behind the wheels of semis. They are either driving too fast, too slow, in the wrong lane, they are impatient, passing too many people, or just generally make motorist in vehicles less than the size of a tank very nervous.

Plus, we have all heard the stereotypes of who a truck driver is: dirty net-backed ball cap, beer gut overflowing worn-out blue jeans, chewing tobacco spit overflowing their lips.

The stereotypes are hurtful and simply not real. Without long-haul truckers, our nation’s economy would essentially grind to a halt.

Today’s truck drivers come from every nationality, gender, race, educational background, socioeconomic status and any other label that society likes to apply to people. Truck drivers are as diverse as America itself.

The freight they haul is essentially the fuel that drives our economy. From food to merchandise to materials for manufacturing and everything in between, the tractor trailers on the road are basically filled with our country’s prosperity.

Does that make it any less stressful when you are cruising down I-75 with a semi skirting across the dotted line on your right side and another barreling down on you from behind? No way. But maybe we can all be a little more understanding that they have a critical job to do and deserve a little more appreciation.

Cue the air horn.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. He can be reached at (859) 759-0095 or by email at mike.caldwell@winchestersun.com.