Veterans Day 2011
Honoring Walmart’s Heroes: Veterans Day and Every Day
Our associates who have served and who currently serve in the military embody the Three Basic Beliefs Walmart is founded on: striving for excellence, respect for the individual and devoted service to customers and community. We are in awe of their heroism and are dedicated to finding improved ways of serving their needs every day – but Veterans Day is particularly special. Today, we celebrate and dedicate our efforts to the heroes who make us Walmart and who make us proud to be Americans.
150th Anniversary of the Medal of Honor
On the 150th anniversary of the Medal of Honor, we are especially proud of our work with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society 
. Walmart forged a partnership with the Society in late 2010, and we continue to explore new ways together that we can successfully foster our relationship.
We were honored when, at a recent Saturday Meeting, Colonel Leo Thorsness – one of 85 living Medal of Honor recipients and a retired U.S. Air Force POW – shared his connection to Sam Walton. Though neither man knew the other, in 1974 Sam contributed $1,000 to Thorsness’ South Dakota senatorial campaign.
First Blind Active Duty Officer – Army Captain Scotty Smiley
Captain Scotty Smiley is the first-ever blind active duty officer. On Veterans Day he shares his inspirational story at Walmart headquarters, to be broadcast to Stores, Clubs and DCs nationwide.
Since a car bomb destroyed his sight in Mosul, Iraq, Captain Smiley has received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was named Soldier of the Year by The Army Times in 2007, and in 2008 won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. He previously commanded the Warrior Transition Unit (where he underwent rehabilitation and medical recovery himself) at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. He recently wrote a moving book entitled Hope Unseen, and was named a recipient of the Army's prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Partnership
Walmart is the founding member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Veterans Employment Advisory Council, comprised of 25 of America’s largest employers, brought together to promote veteran hiring, mentorship and the creation of best practices for veteran employment. Walmart is extremely honored to help lead this effort, contributing $100,000 to support the U.S. Chamber’s work in hosting more than 100 job fairs for veterans in cities and towns across the United States.
On November 10th, Walmart, a finalist for the 1st Annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Veteran and Military Spouse Employment award, attends the 4th Annual Business Steps Up: Hiring Our Heroes event at the U.S. Chamber’s headquarters in Washington, DC.