Santander Consumer USA joins Carry The Load for Memorial March

Remember. Honor. Celebrate.

Many of my colleagues, friends and family joined me on behalf of Santander Consumer USA (SC) this past Sunday to do just that – remember, honor and celebrate our military, law enforcement, firefighters and rescue personnel who dedicate their lives to keeping our country and homes safe.

As proud supporters of these individuals, SC readily accepted the opportunity to join Carry The Load for the Memorial March and carry out the mission of restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day. I was grateful to have the opportunity to bring my son to the event to pay tribute to so many brave men and women.

The crowd gathered in Reverchon Park in Dallas for a 20-hour walk on a seven-mile track starting on Sunday afternoon and ending Monday, Memorial Day. Teams and individuals walk either in turn every hour for the entire walk or as a team for a few hours on Sunday or Monday.

Everyone has the chance to participate as they wish, with some even carrying a load during the walk as a symbol of carrying others – which is, to me, the most compelling aspect of Carry The Load. While we did not all carry a backpack filled with nameplates or dog tags of those fallen, we were honored to be standing with others in memory of our fallen heroes.

SC sponsored a tent in the VIP village, which allowed for a central meeting point, as well as place to rest for teams walking the entire walk. Before the opening ceremony, we gathered at our tent to recognize some of our own veterans.

Veteran recognition is part of a broad initiative at SC that included a month-long celebration leading up to the walk. Throughout the month of May, we highlighted the stories of some of our own veterans who shared what Memorial Day means to them. Additionally, we designed custom T-shirts to wear at the office and on the walk, and raised funds for Carry The Load.

 Wearing our SC T-shirts, we gathered for the opening ceremony in an area filled with American flags, energy, patriotism and purpose. The ceremony reaffirmed why we were there and the need to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day by giving honor and tribute where it is due.

This was our first year to participate in the Carry The Load Memorial March, but it will not be our last. We are proud to join an organization committed to honoring those who defend this country and extend our freedom.

Two walks start weeks before the Dallas march, one on the East Coast and the other on the West Coast, but both culminate in Dallas for the Memorial March. With additional SC offices outside of Texas, we hope to participate in the future at some of the city rallies that occur across the United States.

It was truly memorable to join those who came out this past weekend for the Carry The Load Memorial March and to help re-establish the significance of Memorial Day.