Recently I was honored to be asked to sing the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of a very important event at Sears Holdings Corporation Headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. 

Sears Holdings Corporation CEO and President W. Bruce Johnson signed a "Statement of Support" for the military during the ceremony. Senior leadership from the Department of Defense and Illinois based military organizations also spoke at the signing ceremony.  The "Statement of Support" extends Sears’ existing commitment to the military by recognizing and enforcing the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA) which protects the civilian employment of reservist service members who are called to active duty. 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Thomas F. Hall attended the ceremony.

Before the event began, I was invited to lunch with members of our military and some of Sears Holdings' outstanding patriotic employees. As we sat down, some very important-looking men walked into the cafeteria with their trays of food and one of them sat down beside me ... it was Secretary Hall. Once he introduced himself to us, I made sure my napkin was on my lap, I didn't slurp my soup and I took small bites of my food ... my mother would have been so proud!

Secretary Hall listened with great concern to the three enlisted men sitting at the table, who took advantage of this great opportunity. Secretary Hall was very interested in what his men in field has to say. I was very impressed with his compassion for our troops as the conversation went back and fourth.

                                      
                                 Assistant Secretary of Defense, Thomas F. Hall speaks at Sears Holdings Corp HQ
 
During the ceremony, Sears Holdings also expanded their existing Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) contract with U. S. Army Recruiting Command to include the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program. The PaYS program provides participating companies with fully-trained Soldier employees, in exchange for hiring preferences. "What we offer to Sears; to America, are honest, drug-free Soldiers who are strong leaders, loyal followers and will help make a company successful," Col. James Coates, Commander 9th Brigade US Army Cadet Command, said. "These young Soldiers are light-years ahead of their peers for (corporations) to mold and make into good employees."

Bruce Johnson said the program also benefits Sears Holdings. "Expanding our successful partnership with the Army's Program for Youth Success to include 273 ROTC campuses around the country, makes good business sense. The leadership qualities that these candidates possess align with the skills and experiences that we want in associates who come to work for Sears Holdings," he said.

                                  
        Col. James Coates, Asst. Sec. Hall (back) and Bruce Johnson sign the "Statement of Support" for our military.

When the official signing for the document was completed, Phil Dana (Sears Holdings, ex-US Navy) asked me to perform a few more songs. I choose God Bless the USA and American Soldier. I couldn't resist singing Happy Birthday to Midwest Army Public Affairs new director Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl. A little birdie told me that it was actually Scott's birthday ... so I figured, when was the last time Lt. Col. Bleichwehl had the CEO of Sears, The Assistant Secretary of Defense and 500 of his closest friends sing Happy Birthday to him.

                                         
   Sporting new ACU's, a gift from the folks at Army Public Affairs - Midwest;  Joe Cantafio sings God Bless the USA.

When the event was over I was overwhelmed at the support Sears/Kmart/Lands End gives to our military. When one of their employee is called to duty and deployed, Sears Holdings pays that employee the difference between what he made with Sears and what his military pay is. The stories of support that were told by Sears employees were both heartwarming and inspiring. Please remember to support these fine stores who step up and do so much to support our Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guard.

The very first guitar I ever owned was bought at Sears on the corner of North Avenue and Harlem Avenue in Chicago. My first electric guitar was a Sears brand guitar as was my Silvertone amp. The best tools I have ever owned are Craftsman Tools. Give Sears a try, you won't be sorry and you'll help a corporation who is helping America win the war on terror!

To view a video highlighting the days event - click here - Click here: Sears Holdings Corporation - Careers - Military