NuMark Credit Union Honors Veterans at National Cemetery Beautification Event

Posted on September 17th, 2025

NuMark Credit Union (NuMark) joined community members on Thursday, September 11^th at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (ALNC) in Elwood to participate in a gravestone cleaning event in honor of Patriots’ Day. The event was hosted by the organization Carry the Load, as part of one of their National Days of Service.

For many years, NuMark has participated in events at the cemetery meant to honor our fallen veterans. This is NuMark’s first time participating in the gravestone cleaning honoring the anniversary of September 11^th, 2001, and all those who came together afterwards to help with the aftermath of the unfortunate tragedy.

“Patriots’ Day observance is to remember and honor the victims of the September 11 attacks, the sacrifice of first responders, emergency personnel including ordinary citizens that responded heroically that day,” said Wally Chlipala, one of NuMark’s volunteer board members and Vietnam War Army veteran. “On this day we have an opportunity to reflect what American’s can do when faced with adversity and unite in times of tragedy. Through these various acts of service American spirit promotes unity and patriotic strength.”

As a credit union, NuMark is passionate about showing support for the community, participating in a variety of events from parades to mobile food trucks and everything in between. With several veterans on its volunteer board of directors, as well as employed at the credit union itself, the credit union participates annually in activities dedicated to serving and honoring our local veterans.

“On Patriots’ Day, I had the privilege of serving at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where I joined fellow volunteers in cleaning and caring for the headstones of our fallen heroes. As a proud veteran, this was a very meaningful event for me,” said Ashley Tuburan, a Navy Veteran and Compliance Officer at NuMark. “It was a chance to have a quiet reflection and show respect for those who sacrificed it all. I was reminded of the resilience, unity, and cost of freedom for this country, and I was honored to be able to continue serving my country this way.”  

In addition to this year’s gravestone cleaning, NuMark staff, family, and friends gathered with other community members at ALNC in May earlier this year to place flags at each gravesite in honor of Memorial Day for Flags In Day. They also raise money throughout the year for Wreaths Across America (WAA) where each dollar donated goes towards sponsoring a wreath that’s placed at the gravesites of veterans buried at ALNC. To date, NuMark has raised $45,095 for WAA, sponsoring a total of 4,658 wreaths for the annual wreath-laying ceremony each December for the past 15 years.

“People helping people,” is one of the most important aspects of the credit union movement, and something that NuMark employees make a point to exemplify. Whether it’s volunteering for local organizations or helping out members who might be in a tough spot financially, being able to help community and credit union members is an invaluable part of the NuMark culture.

For more information on Carry the Load, please visit www.carrytheload.org.