feature
Over There
Since the war's start, manifold U.S. firms have come to the soldiers' aid. Within the optical industry, it's been no different. This is just a small sampling of what some companies have done to help. . .
BY LINDSEY ASPINALL

Above: When 1LT Anthony Aguilar's patrol was struck by an IED, his eyes were saved from a piece of shrapnel which punctured but did not penetrate Revision Eyewear's Sawfly lens; below: Soldiers sport their new Marchon sunwear

It's been a long road for the U.S. troops, many of whom have been serving in the Middle East since the war began in 2003. Like many others who have been anxious to help, the optical industry has organized volunteer efforts, drives, and donations.

The Middle East is plagued with harsh weather including intense heat and fierce sand storms. Between battling these elements and the risk of being caught in enemy fire, it's crucial for stationed soldiers to have protective eyewear. 

DONATING GEAR

Several frame companies have helped serve the special eyewear needs of soldiers by donating frames.

■ It's Wiley X Eyewear's policy to replace whatever product a soldier needs at no charge. Wiley has also made donations. "We have donated thousands of pairs of glasses to our troops and will continue to do so," says Dan Freeman of Wiley. "We gave 500 pairs to the U.S.O. and also supported them financially."

■ When Marchon Eyewear found out that a local Girl Scout troop wanted to help support U.S. troops, they stepped in to fund the effort.

As a result, Maureen Balazy, the eight-year-old daughter of U.S. senior warehouse supervisor John Balazy, and her Girl Scout troop were able to assemble a care package that included Marchon sunglasses for a troop stationed in Kuwait.

■ Kenmark Group donated 25 pairs of sunwear to troops serving in Fallujah, after Cheryl Orr, a Kenmark sales representative with a connection to one of the soldiers, alerted the company of the need. They also donated 50 pairs of Wolverine Polarized Sunwear to troops in Iraq.

(From top to bottom): Dello Russo LaserVision Center in New York offered free treatment for soldiers in celebration of the Independence Day holiday; Fantom Optics organized a team of nearly 60 volunteers to cook and serve dinner for troops scheduled for deployment; several soldiers stationed in the Middle East gather to model their Kenmark eyewear for a photo

■ Revision Eyewear LTD., has donated 200 sets of Sawfly ballistic eyewear protection to various Iraq units through the "Any Soldier" public donations program.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Of course donations aren't the only way to help. Several optical companies have organized different volunteer efforts.

n Fantom Optics took a team of nearly 60 volunteers from Minnesota to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. The volunteers cooked and served dinner to 4,100 National Guard troops and their families prior to their deployment to Iraq.

Food and supplies were donated from Fantom Optics and other local Saint Paul businesses. Plus, two Saint Paul bands provided live entertainment for the event.

n Transitions Optical has been supporting ongoing efforts of their employees to aid the U.S. troops. One employee-organized event supported by Transitions was a Christmas Drive, coordinated by the Charity Committee, in which employees donated treats and sundries to send to the troops.

n The Dello Russo LaserVision Center at 1755 York Avenue and 92nd Street in Manhattan offered free laser vision surgery to U.S. troops to commemorate the July 4th holiday. The treated soldiers are scheduled to enter combat later this year. Joseph Dello Russo, MD, and Jeffrey Dello Russo, MD, performed the surgery, at no cost to the soldiers.

"I want to help as many soldiers as possible who have had trouble in battle because they have to rely on glasses, goggles, or contacts," said Joseph Dello Russo, MD. "These young soldiers work to keep us free and safe from harm."

Editor's Note: For information on the "Any Soldier" program, visit www.anysoldier.com. Also, check with your local Red Cross chapter.

Whether you're a supplier or an eyecare professional, we'd like to hear about your efforts to support the soldiers in Iraq. Please E-mail us at EyecareBizEditor@LWWVisionCare.