California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

With July 4, Independence Day in mind, we wanted to salute those who bravely serve our country and sacrifice the comforts of home in doing so.

As we fight the battles of running our businesses, raising families here at home, many of our loved ones are across the globe making sure we are safe from harm’s way. It is because of people like Andrew Ubil, we are the greatest country in the world. So we say thank you to Andrew.  Jake & Patrice Ubil, owners of Jake’s Towing & Recovery, Inc., also AADT/CCTA members, were kind enough to write us a short article.

As the president of Jakes Towing & Recovery Inc. and mother to two wonderful sons, I am pleased and flattered to tell you my story.  My husband, Jake Ubil has been in the towing industry for 22 years and we are the first in the Sacramento area to have a Rotator.  My husband Jake and I (Patrice) have been in business for 8 years.

Jake and I take a lot of pride in our company and our children. We are extremely proud to tell you about our son, Army Specialist Andrew Ubil, serving his second tour at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan. Andrew enlisted in the Army in May of 2009 and is assigned to the 4th platoon in Infantry. He has many duties with his Infantry platoon, such as mortar man, Stryker driver and also driving an M-ATV.  The world stops for us on the rare occasion he gets a chance to call home. It’s the typical split conversations between mother and father.  I want to talk to Andrew about his daily life and that he is taking care of himself, dad wants to hear about cool stories and adventures of what it is that he is doing. And Andrew, longing for home and a sense of the life he left behind. He asks about the business and normal family life.  A call from Andrew brightens our day and a missed call disappoints and saddens us both. 

Jake and I have always believed that including the kids in the family business teaches responsibility and builds character.  Andrew began riding in the tow truck with his father when he was 12.  He started out by doing jobs such as a sweeping out the shop and cleaning the bathrooms.  For the last 8 years Jake has been mentoring Andrew on the Rotator, or “Tator” as we call it.  With the utmost respect for our son and his decision to become a military man, we long for the day that he comes home and joins us in the family business.

Personally and as a company we respect the military and the men and women who serve. Working side by side with our drivers that are wartime veterans, we are reminded daily of the sacrifices of freedom. Although there is a great sense of pride and honor in having your child serve his or hers country, there is also a deep concern when they enlist in a time of war.

Left to Right: Patrice Ubil, Andrew and Jake Ubil

We are so proud of our son for entering the military, he was interested in new adventures, meeting new people and I am sure escaping some of mom and dad’s rules.  Although I do not presume to speak for my son Andrew, as his mother I know in my heart that he joined to serve his country to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  As a mother, an American and business owner I am honored that my son is maintaining that freedom.

Running in place

We often get overwhelmed when our lives become too busy, we may lose a sense of stability. It can feel as if we have one foot on the accelerator and another one on the brake. We need to turn within and pay attention to our needs. Allow yourself to navigate comfortably between work and recreation. Once you are reenergized and refreshed from a short break, everything will go more smoothly. Our tasks get done more easily, and we are at PEACE.