JOLIET, Ill.—With Veterans Day being commemorated this week, several credit unions are participating in related activities.
In Illinois, the $880-million Numark Credit Union said it will again participating in Wreaths Across America, which is noted is just one of several veteran-related activities NuMark supports.
Wreaths Across America distributes holiday wreaths for placement on veterans’ graves.
In the past 15 years, NuMark CU said it has raised more than $45,095 for Wreaths Across America and has sponsored 4,658 wreaths for the annual wreath-laying ceremony each December at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.
Additional Support for Veterans
But NuMark said supports veteran-related causes throughout the year, too, including:
- In May, NuMark staff, along with their families and friends, gathered with other community members at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery for Flags In Day, where volunteers placed flags at each gravesite in honor of Memorial Day. Memorial Day.
- For the first time ever, NuMark joined community members at the national cemetery on Sept. 11 to participate in a gravestone cleaning event in honor of Patriots’ Day. Ashley Tuburan, a U.S. Navy veteran and compliance officer at NuMark, said in a released statement the gravestone cleanup was “a very meaningful event for me. It was a chance to have a quiet reflection and show respect for those who sacrificed it all.”
- NuMark said it also consistently donates to Honor Flight and that many of NuMark’s board members are veterans who have first-hand experience with the benefits of the Honor Flight program.
Worn Flags Being Collected
In Portland, Michigan, meanwhile, in observance of Veterans Day, PFCU Credit Union said it continues to collect worn American flags, and to date this year has gathered more than 222 such flags for “proper retirement” in partnership with local VFWs and American Legion posts.
“When a flag becomes frayed, torn, or otherwise unfit for display, it should be retired with respect,” said John Knickerbocker, Community Engagement Coordinator. “We’re proud to support the proper disposal of these flags through formal ceremonies conducted by our local veteran groups.”
The $819-million PFCU is encouraging the public to participate in the effort, with flag collection boxes available at all PFCU branch locations.
