CSX
Since its launch in 2018, CSX’s Pride in Service is said to have engaged tens of thousands of employees and community members in service projects, donations, and volunteer opportunities that benefit military families, veterans, and first responders. “By partnering with organizations such as First Responders Children’s Foundation and Operation Gratitude, CSX ensures that its resources reach those who need them most while creating opportunities for employees to give back,” according to the Class I.
CSX reported that its Pride in Service initiatives and events from the past six months include:
- “Battalion Buddy Brigade – CSX partnered with Operation Gratitude to assemble 3,500 stuffed ‘Battalion Buddy’ teddy bears for children of deployed U.S. service members. Employees at CSX headquarters and across the network hand-stuffed and dressed the bears, which provide comfort to military children while their parents serve. CSX has committed to assembling 13,000 Battalion Buddies this year, making it Operation Gratitude’s largest corporate partner for the initiative.
- “Care Packages for First Responders – At CSX headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., more than 150 employees joined Operation Gratitude to prepare 2,000 care packages filled with snacks, hygiene items and handwritten notes of thanks. The packages were distributed to local law enforcement and fire departments, including the CSX railroad police, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and St. Johns County Fire Rescue.
- “National Night Out – CSX teamed with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to donate thousands of toys that were distributed at more than 50 National Night Out events across the country. The toys brought joy to the children and families while strengthening the bonds between first responders and the communities they serve.
- “First Responder Family Appreciation Day – CSX and First Responders Children’s Foundation honored 500 Jacksonville-area first responders and their families with a day of fun at Flight Adventure Park. Families enjoyed trampoline jumping, face painting, crafts, toy giveaways, outdoor games and food from Mission BBQ. Operation Gratitude also provided care packages to first responders, making the event a true celebration of service, sacrifice and community.
- “Scholarships for Children of First Responders – In partnership with First Responders Children’s Foundation, CSX awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to 211 students nationwide, including 10 recipients of the CSX Pride in Service Scholarship. Since 2018, the partnership has provided over $750,000 in scholarships to children of first responders, helping them pursue higher education and career dreams.”
Meanwhile, the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, in partnership with CSX, report that they “will bring history to life with the first ever immersive reenactment of the Great Locomotive Chase” on Sept. 30, officially kicking off the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration in Chattanooga, Tenn. The reenactment, sponsored by the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, will have nearly 20 Medal of Honor Recipients and other invited guests travel on a special CSX train that will run on the famed Western & Atlantic Railroad line from Atlanta, Ga., to Chattanooga, where they will attend the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration.
In partnership with the Atlanta History Center, the Southern Museum and the City of Ringgold, Ga., the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration will host this event, retracing what is said to be “the daring path of the Andrews’ Raid,” more popularly known as the Great Locomotive Chase. On April 12, 1862, civilian scout James J. Andrews, along with one civilian accomplice and 22 Union volunteers from three Ohio infantry regiments, masqueraded in civilian attire to covertly board a train—the General—at Marietta, Ga. Their mission: seize the locomotive of the General near Big Shanty (present-day Kennesaw), then steam north toward Chattanooga, systematically sabotaging railroad tracks, bridges, and telegraph lines to disrupt Confederate supply routes.
“The Great Locomotive Chase is more than a Civil War story; it’s a defining moment in American military history and established Chattanooga as the birthplace of the Medal of Honor,” the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center reported. “The audacious raid, spanning roughly 87 miles over seven hours, evoked an epic chase. Pursued relentlessly by Confederate conductor William Fuller—who switched between several chasing locomotives including the Texas, which is now located at the Atlanta History Center. The Raiders’ plans unraveled when the General—which is now located at the Southern Museum—ran out of steam just outside of Chattanooga near Ringgold, Ga. The men scattered but were eventually captured. Eight of the captured participants—including James J. Andrews and seven others—were tried as spies and executed in Atlanta and later reinterned in Chattanooga at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The rest endured imprisonment: some escaped, while others were later released in a prisoner exchange.
“Despite its tactical failure, the raid left an enduring legacy: six of the raiders received the very first Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863, and over time, 21 of the 24 participants would be awarded the Medal of Honor—including two (Privates Philip G. Shadrach and George D. Wilson) who were posthumously recognized on July 3, 2024, by President Joe Biden.”
“This reenactment is more than a commemoration; it’s a living tribute to the courage, and commitment of the first Medal of Honor Recipients,” said Tom Mundell, President and CEO of the Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. “We are grateful to our partners and sponsors, especially CSX, for helping us preserve this historic Medal of Honor action and historical event in such a powerful and immersive way.”
Presented by Textile Rubber & Chemical Company, the 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 4, featuring a variety of public and private events. The week will conclude with the Patriot Awards Gala on Oct. 4, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, where four Americans will be honored for exemplifying the Medal of Honor’s values.
The 2025 Medal of Honor Celebration is also sponsored by the Gary W. Rollins Foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, American Airlines, CSX, the Robert Irvine Foundation, the Jack and Charlotte Frost Family Foundation, the Frank P. Pierce Foundation, Unum, Texas A&M University, AM General, Decosimo Family Partners, Erlanger Hospital, Fed-Ex, Food City, Miller Industries, Realized Solutions, Tennessee Valley Authority, the Kennedy Family Foundation and PenFed Foundation For Military Heroes and The Raines Group.
CN
“A big supply chain salute to Greenergy and the Port of/de Belledune [BPA] on the signing of your long-term lease agreement [for a tank facility at the Port’s deep-water import terminal in northern New Brunswick],” CN reported via social media on Sept. 10. “This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening Atlantic Canada’s energy supply chain, enabling reliable fuel movement while supporting regional economies and communities. With our network, CN connects dock to tracks and beyond, powering efficient logistics in support of sustainable growth.”
According to BPA, the investment expands Greenergy’s Canadian terminal network; enhances reliable fuel supply and security; creates jobs and contracting opportunities in partnership with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation; and supports the growth of the BPA’s Green Energy Hub.
“We are excited about Greenergy entering the Port of Belledune,” Pabineau First Nation Chief Terry Richardson said. “It brings jobs to the region and ensures the future of the port through in-out business. We’ve talked with Greenergy and First Nations and see opportunity for our communities through contracting and jobs. If we are to bring prosperity back to the region we must do it one project at a time.”
“Our investment in Belledune strengthens our import capability and creates additional capacity where it is needed,” noted Mike Healy, Greenergy Managing Director-North America. “We utilize our global supply chains to offer our customers reliable supply of traditional and renewable fuel solutions.”
“We welcome Greenergy to the Port of Belledune,” BPA President and CEO Denis D. Caron said. “Their investment supports our ambitions for growth of our core operations with a view to green and clean development. Their expertise in ensuring reliable fuel supply, coupled with their desire to be community minded aligns perfectly with the Port’s core values.”
“CN is proud to enable this new supply of energy to Canadian markets,” CN Interim Chief Commercial Officer Janet Drysdale said. “Today’s [Sept. 10] announcement allows us to add service plans that unlock new competitive options for shippers and will ultimately help move more goods in and out of Atlantic Canada by rail.”
