There were old-time trucks parked everywhere inside Rossi’s Christmas Tree Farm at 1936 Phenix Ave. in Cranston last Sunday afternoon.

There were ageless military vehicles, from jeeps to transport trucks, and an old-time wrecker that is still used on some occasions.

There were eight-wheelers and 16-wheelers, and even some old-time cars, as well as more modern motorcycles that people admired while walking around the green grass amid the smell of grilled food.

“But the biggest and best old-timer here today is June Champlin,” Joe Pingitore, a Johnston resident and business owner who serves as president of the Ocean State Vintage Haulers (OSVH), said while cooking sausage, hamburgers, and hot dogs. “He’s a legend in our industry.”

Few people, if any, would dispute that theory, given that Frank “June” Champlin Jr. is just a few months away from his 92nd birthday.

“And you see that big rig?” Arnold Briggs said. “He still drives it on jobs.”

Briggs was speaking about Champlin’s 1971 Kenworth W-900, which is still used as part of F. Champlin Trucking of Westerly that was started back in 1957.

For Champlin – known as June, short for Junior – trucking has been a part of his life since he was just 14 years old. He was one of five children whose mother passed away when he was age nine, so he had to grow up pretty quickly and help work on the family farm.

“He’s 91 years young,” Briggs said of Champlin, who Sunday received not one but two awards on behalf of the American Truck Historical Society during the OSVH Truck Round-up. “He still drives that huge and shiny red 1971 Kenworth W-900 for business but mostly keeps it ready for truck shows.”

Pingitore, who also received a special award, offered: “Think about this – he has been driving trucks, all sizes of trucks, for over a half century and probably more. June Champlin doesn’t look like he’s even close to 91 years young.”

Under Sunday’s sparkling sun and amid an appreciative and applauding audience, Briggs served as emcee for a brief but moving ceremony and on behalf of the American Truck Historical Society and presented Champlin with the group’s prestigious 50-year Company Award as well as the Golden Achievement Award.

Briggs also heaped words of praise upon Pingitore.

“Joe, in appreciation for your outstanding leadership, vision, dedication, and hard work, we present you with this special plaque, and on behalf of our Ocean State group and the American Historical Truck Society, we say thank you for your years of being a great friend to all of us.”

Briggs also presented plaques to Ron Rossi, OSVH vice president, and Margaret Philbrook, who everyone in attendance wanted it known “is without question the backbone of our organization who keeps everything moving.”