Dion Dorado is a former US Marine and US Army soldier who dedicated 18 years of his life to his country. On July 2nd, he was working as an advisor and mentor under a Department of Defense contract for DynCorp International. While stationed in Afghanistan the company’s barracks were destroyed during an attack by a suicide truck bomb.
Dion had a pair of eyeglasses from Stanton Optical with him at the time. He mentioned that “While searching my living quarters I located my glasses in a neighboring room under the debris I had been buried under earlier. My glasses were destroyed with one lens missing and the other polycarbonate lenses fractured. I did have a habit of falling asleep with my glasses on but am not sure if this acted as protection for my eyes.”
After returning to the United States, Dion brought his glasses to his local Stanton Optical store in California to get a replacement pair. The optical company normally covers 20% of the replacement cost on damaged glasses. But after hearing Dion’s incredible story the local sales manager contacted his District Manager Brad Rodman.
Stanton Optical agreed to replace Dion’s glasses at no charge. Clint Olivas, Sales Manager at the Visalia, California store made the following comment: “We are trying to locate the Nike frame so we can replace them. His name is Dion and he’s a great guy. He was a Marine then joined the Army and now is working for the DOD. He has a video of the aftermath that is pretty intense. His barracks were completely destroyed while he was asleep.”
Dion’s award from DynCorp gives a brief summary of what happened during the attack: “At 4:30 AM on Tuesday July 2nd, 2013, an enormous explosion ripped through Camp Pinnacle, Afghanistan. Insurgents then penetrated the breach in the wall – with the sole purpose of killing as many people as possible. That day we lost three fellow co-workers who will never be forgotten.”
Richard McEvoy, Program Manager for DynCorp International, thanked Dion for his service: “On behalf of a grateful company, please accept this Certificate of Appreciation for your efforts that day and the days afterwards. Your courage and determination allowed our program to keep operating. You make DynCorp a great company and it’s an honor to serve with you.”
Dion wanted to make one last comment on the events occurring that day: “I would like to mention that although this is a terrible event that occurred, I feel as if without the brave souls of my teammates who had valiantly fought to repel this attack we would have suffered greater losses. To those warriors of Elbrus barracks I am forever grateful to had served and fought alongside of you that day.”
About DynCorp International
DynCorp International is a leading global services provider offering unique, tailored solutions for an ever-changing world. Built on more than six decades of experience as a trusted partner to commercial, government and military customers, DI provides sophisticated aviation, logistics, training, intelligence and operational solutions wherever they are needed. U.S. Veterans Magazine named DynCorp to their 2013 Best of Bests lists for top veteran-friendly companies and top supplier diversity programs.
Corporate Headquarters
3190 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 900
Falls Church, VA 22042
About Stanton Optical
Stanton Optical, headquartered in Palm Springs, Florida, has over 30 locations in the United States including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. The eyeglass store offers a great selection of men’s eyeglasses, women’s prescription glasses and kid’s eyeglass frames at each of their retail locations. The optical store encourages their employees to get involved in the local community. The company is especially proud of their community involvement initiatives with their support of non-profit charity groups and humanitarian organizations. Recent corporate giving efforts include donations to In Jacob’s Shoes, New Eyes for the Needy, Lions Club Recycle for Sight and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Stanton Optical Corporate Headquarters
3801 S. Congress Avenue
Palm Springs, FL 33461
internetmarketing@stantonoptical.com
www.stantonoptical.com
Media Contact: Lynn Smythe, Vision Precision Holdings, 561-459-3263, lsmythe@stantonoptical.com
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SOURCE Stanton Optical
