“As long as I can I will look at this world for both of us, as long as I can, I will laugh with the birds, I will sing with the flowers, I will pray to the stars, for both of us.” – Sascha Wagner
On December 14, 2019, Omnitracs employees gathered across the country to participate in the annual Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony. At noon in each location, volunteers and family members laid wreaths on the tombstones of veterans who have since passed.
The wreath-laying ceremony is an annual, nationwide initiative that aims to honor and remember fallen veterans during the holiday season. This is a particularly meaningful event for families and loved ones of veterans who have passed away, as many express they feel the loss even more deeply during the holidays.
Unwavering support throughout the years
For 10 consistent years, Omnitracs has supported Wreaths Across America with a collective employee volunteer effort and an annual $25,000 donation. This year's donation made possible the purchase of 2,500 wreaths.
From Minneapolis to San Diego, and in major national cemeteries — like the Arlington National Cemetery and the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery — Omnitracs employees gathered to help lay wreaths. Our employees were joined by their friends and family members, along with many other volunteers and volunteer groups from various companies and schools.
For the first time ever, the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery had enough wreaths to lay one wreath on every headstone. Through donations big and small, approximately 43,500 wreaths were collected and laid out.
Omnitracs and veterans: A special relationship
Of this year’s experience, Omnitracs employee and Army veteran Forrest Tylutki said, “This is always a humbling experience – one that reminds us to keep things in perspective. Each time you lay a wreath, say the name, and render a salute, it reminds me to be thankful for our veterans and this great nation.”
Our commitment to veterans transcends beyond this program. With many working in the trucking industry, Omnitracs has prioritized veterans in many ways — one of which is continuing to support our own employees who have served through our Veterans’ Employee Resource Committee.
Omnitracs employee and Army veteran Kevin Morgan had this to say on his volunteer experience: “The simple act of taking a wreath, smoothing out the red ribbon in the bow, placing it in front of a headstone, and quietly reciting the veteran’s name brought up so many emotions.” Morgan also expressed immense gratitude to his coworkers and Omnitracs for our continued support of the program.
Read our recent blog post saluting veterans, and continue to lend your support to nonprofit organizations like Wreaths Across America to remember the fallen and honor those who serve.