UMC Machining in Monticello held a private  celebration on Veterans Day with a special flag-raising ceremony outside their main entrance to honor their employees who are veterans. 

A team of veterans helped raise a 40-ft. x 80-ft. flag to the top of their new 165-ft flagpole that was recently installed as part of their Armstrong expansion project. The veterans were also presented with special coins as a symbol of appreciation. 

UMC CEO, Don Tomann, addressed the group of veterans on behalf of the company saying, “Words cannot always express the gratitude we have for those who go beyond. For those who demonstrate true grit and integrity. We are fortunate here at UMC to have employees who exhibit those qualities every day. Not only here in the present, but in their past lives as members of our Armed Forces. As a small token of our appreciation for those who served, we have a small gift to symbolize our gratitude for your services (coins handed out). We appreciate all you have done and continue to do.” 

UMC is a family-owned business of machining that has been around since 1968. UMC’s initiative is to advance precision manufacturing with technology and automation while providing more engaging, high-value jobs for employees.

In April of this year, the company held a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new 60,000 square foot expansion, connecting to the existing 72,000 square foot UMC headquarters located at 500 Chelsea Road in Monticello.

Why such a big flag/flagpole?

Tomann answered by saying, “We had a little fun with that. It all came from when I learned someone in St. Cloud had put up a 160-ft. flag pole. One of the tallest in the state. I consider myself a patriot though I never got the chance to serve our country in the armed forces. I was taught reverence for our flag and the people who have served and I wanted to show my appreciation. To go to 165-ft., that hopefully will encourage someone else to go 170-ft. and fill the state with these tall flag poles. Wouldn’t that be great?”

Tomann has several employees at his business who are veterans. One of them is a relatively newer employee named Jonathan Garcia, an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Garcia came to UMC after finishing up his military service in 2015. Garcia was studying mechanical engineering at SCSU and approached UMC with a presentation and asked them for their support and a possible donation to their program. Tomann knew immediately this young man was someone special.

“I knew I was going to hire Jonathan the moment he visited us on the school project,” said Tomann. He just had that caliber about him and maturity. We try and hire good people and there are a lot of values that are taught in the armed forces that we appreciate.”

Garcia was also impressed with the company and its owner.

“The moment I walked in, I noticed the bright building, the big windows and I knew I wanted to be a part of this organization,” Garcia said. “They offered me a position as an intern and I humbly accepted and ever since then it’s been nothing but the best learning experience.”

Garcia says the experience in the Marines has given him a unique set of skills and talents he can bring to the job.

“Camaraderie is something important I learned while in the Marines,” he said. “It’s a unique ability for us to make uncomfortable sacrifices to better the organizations we work for. That camaraderie helps us work together and work hard to bring the organization to the next level.”

Garcia joined the Marines,  not for personal gain or making himself better,  but to be a part of the story that’s being told everyday.

“I wanted to be part of the story that’s been told about the greatest men who have ever lived, like Dan Daly (Daniel Joseph Daly was a United States Marine and one of 19 men to have received the Medal of Honor twice), Chesty Puller (Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller is the most decorated Marine in American history), Sgt. Dakota Meyer (Dakota Louis Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Meyer is the second-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient) and the six Marines who raised the flag atop Mount Suribachi (during the Battle of Iwo Jima).”

“To be a part of that brotherhood and to add to that story is something I felt passionate about,” he continued. “I had to be a part of it.”

Garcia was ever so grateful his company and bosses decided to do something extra special on Veteran’s Day this year. He believes it is so important to continue to recognize and appreciate those who have served and are serving in the armed forces.

“This kind of thing (flag raising) is a reminder of where we came from, what it took for us to get here, all the sacrifices that had to be made and the countless lives that were paid in order to get us all here,” Garcia said. “It is important that we continue to recognize that so those individuals who have sacrificed so much don’t die in vain.”