Honoring Our Veterans
Today we celebrate Veterans Day – a day to honor the service of all military members, past and present. This year is extra special as 2018 also marks the centennial commemoration of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.
At National Vision, we honor our veterans today, and everyday. We are fortunate to have more than 300 self-identified veterans across all sectors of our organization and affiliated independent practices. These Associates and Doctors have made remarkable contributions to our country, and we are proud that they are part of the National Vision family.
2018 Veteran Hiring Accomplishments
We feel incredibly proud of what we have accomplished this year. On July 13, 2018, we met our October 2015 commitment to hire a minimum of 500 veterans and/or veteran spouses across our retail brands by October 2020. That’s 2 years early!
This year we also hired our first applicant via the Army PaYS program (Army Partnership for Youth Success) at one of our Detroit Eyeglass World locations, and once again had the opportunity to attend the 2018 Veterans Initiative Summit in Washington, D.C. as part of KKR’s Vets@Work program.
Veterans Day 2018
In honor of Veterans Day, this year we will be recognizing the brave service of our veteran Associates and affiliated Optometrists with two gifts – a lapel pin that they can wear proudly on their jacket and a travel mug.
We also asked some of our veteran Associates what their thoughts were on working for National Vision. Here’s what they had to say…
Associate Alissa Hanssen when she was in the Army.
Alissa Hanssen, Optician at our America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses store in Lincoln, Nebraska and Army veteran says:
“I am proud to work at an America’s Best location because of the commitment they provide in giving our military affordable eye care options. It is rare to see establishments offer a discount for veterans, so when I can help patients out with something like that, it is a welcomed surprise.”
Patrick Hayes, Production Manager at the Lawrenceville Lab and Coast Guard veteran says:
“It is refreshing to see that a company like National Vision invest not only in veterans but the spouses of veterans who are often the foundation during a person’s military career. I have never experienced the interest and appreciation toward veterans as what I have experienced with National Vision. I am thankful that I received the opportunity to work at the Lawrenceville Lab and am proud to call National Vision home.”
Tammera Leondike, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses District Manager and Air Force veteran says:
“I am proud to work for National Vision and have made a career with the company because they speak to my heart and allow me to do what’s right. When I see our community efforts such as the America’s Best and Boys and Girls Clubs of America partnership it fills my need to serve.”
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served!
Jessica Altamirano
Latest posts by Jessica Altamirano (see all)
- Meet the 2019 National Vision Scholarship Recipients - October 14, 2019
- America’s Best Honored by Department of Defense for Guard Support - September 18, 2019
- Meet our Summer Interns - August 7, 2019
