Veteran’s Day is observed on November 11 to honor the individuals that have served in America’s military. This year, The Vision Council Foundation would like to call attention to veteran-owned eyewear companies and encourage you to support their businesses. By shopping at a veteran-owned business, you show gratitude to those who have protected our country and help provide jobs to service men and women that have returned home.
Superior Optical Lab (Specs for Vets)
Superior Optical was co-founded in 1991 by Vietnam Veteran Hal Walker and was acquired by Service Disabled Navy Veteran Derek Bodart in 2017. Since the early 2000s, the company was contracted with the Veterans Administration and has been manufacturing glasses for our nation’s veterans through Specs for Vets.
Wiley X Eyewear was founded in 1987 by U.S. Army Veteran Myles Freeman Sr., with a core value of supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Founder Joe Sugarman was in the ROTC before he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962. After his service, he built BluBlocker and has since provided 20,000 free pairs of sunglasses to active-duty troops in every major conflict America has been involved in.
Marine and Iraq War Sergeant Patrick Turley started Semper Fly, a sunglasses company that is fully veteran owned and employed. This business partners with veteran advocacy groups and donates a portion of their proceeds to organizations that support our country’s vets.
Check out some other optical companies that support veterans and active-duty service members:
- Veteran-founded Randolph USA has worked closely with the U.S. military, directly contracted to produce the HGU-4/P Aviators in the 1980s and was awarded their first contract for the Frame of Choice program in 2000.
- Eagle Eyes Eyewear recognizes veterans through their Heroes program and has partnered with Operation Gratitude to provide free glasses to veterans.
- According to their website, Art Craft Optical is “the official cockpit approved frame manufacturer for the United States Air Force,” and supplied frames to American forces ever since World War I.
