PDS Optical Sponsors Second Lone Eagle Honor Flight Bringing Nearly 40 Veterans to Visit DC Monuments
“Veterans helping Veterans” as service members spanning World War II, Korea, and Vietnam visit monuments established in their honor
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sept. 14, 2026 — PDS Optical®, the nation’s leading eyewear provider for America’s Veterans, is proud to host its second annual Lone Eagle Honor Flight trip on Sept. 19. The company is bringing 39 military Veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice.
“Our work is defined by more than just vision care; it’s rooted in a commitment to values and dignity for those who served,” said Sean Loosen, U.S. Army Veteran and PDS Optical CEO. “Serving as guardians on this Lone Eagle Honor Flight is the ultimate expression of our ‘Veterans helping Veterans’ ethos. As a fellow Veteran, I am deeply proud that we can ensure our heroes receive the recognition they have rightfully earned, honoring the legacy of service that inspires everything we do.”
This is the second time PDS Optical has financially backed a Lone Eagle Honor Flight since 2025, supporting nearly 70 Veterans and their guardians in total with travel to and from Washington, D.C. This trip brings together a diverse group of service members from 18 states across the country, spanning multiple generations, including a World War II Veteran, Korean War Veterans, and 31 Vietnam War Veterans. Among the honored attendees is a decorated Purple Heart recipient.
“It is such a privilege to welcome these 39 American heroes to our nation’s capital,” said Marion Watkins, Interim CEO of Honor Flight. “Every single Honor Flight trip is a treasured experience, but it’s especially impactful when our honored Veterans are accompanied and celebrated by younger generations of Veterans. That shared camaraderie is unmatched. Honor Flight Network is deeply grateful to PDS Optical for making this unforgettable journey possible.”
As part of the weekend’s events, at least one participating Veteran will receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal, an honor conferred by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in recognition of service during the Korean War.
Additionally, PDS Optical has invited USA Cares™, a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, to join them for this Honor Flight trip, reflecting the central theme: “Veterans helping Veterans.” Since 2011, USA Cares has provided nearly $15 million in financial assistance to post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families alongside post-service skills training to create a foundation for long-term stability.
“As a Vietnam Veteran and a long-term board member of USA Cares, I deeply appreciate PDS Optical’s financial support and invitation for myself and other USA Cares Veteran members to join this once in a lifetime opportunity,” said William Roby, Sr, Chair, USA Cares Executive Advisory Council.
The 39 Veterans traveling on this flight hail from across the United States, including California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
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About PDS Optical: Founded in 1998, PDS Optical is a leading provider of high-quality prescription eyewear to Veterans enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, with a second manufacturing lab in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, PDS Optical is a service-disabled, Veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) dedicated to serving our nation’s Veterans with pride, dignity, and exceptional service. Learn more at pdsoptical.com.
About Honor Flight Network: Formed in 2005, the Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization of independent hubs working together to achieve the Honor Flight mission to celebrate America’s Veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials. Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives Veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other Veterans. While initially focused solely on America’s World War II era Veterans, Honor Flight Network has expanded its mission to include those who served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War eras. To date, the Honor Flight Network has honored over 300,000 Veterans from around the country. To learn more, visit: Honor Flight Network.