Smiles Dental honors local veterans with a dental gift and celebrates over 125 years combined of service to our country with these dedicated men and women.In November, Smiles Dental invited community members at their locations throughout Oregon and Washington to nominate a veteran in their community to receive up to $5,000 toward their dental treatment plan. The Smiles Dental Team is pleased to announce eight randomly selected nominees, with over 125 years combined of service, are to receive the gift this year!
Dr. Cheryl Cooper of Smiles Dental Salem says “We are extremely happy to be able to give a little bit back to the Veterans who have given so much to our country.”
The entire Smiles Dental Team would like to thank all who submitted nominations and send a special thank you to our military men and women, both past and present, for their service to our country.
The 2014 recipients of an up to $5,000 gift in honor of their service are as follows:
Smiles Dental – Gig Harbor: Allen (Robb) Thomas
Allen Robert Thomas joined the United States Navy on August 20th, 1986, just 10 days shy of his 20th birthday. He completed boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois and served on the U.S.S. Enterprise in
Alameda, California. After re-enlisting, he was stationed at the Naval Station – Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico for three years. Thomas went back to Great Lakes, Illinois as a Recruit Training Commander. He finished his service at Whidbey Island, where on August 31st, 2006, after 20 years and 11 days, he retired from the Navy.
Smiles Dental – Longview: Kristopher North
Kristopher North was stationed in Fulda [West Germany] with the 11th Cavalry Regiment of the United
States Army. At the base, he received training for air assault and often participated in border patrol runs. The base North was stationed at was the closest military base to every major conflict between East and West Germany. Three days before he was scheduled to leave the base, the Berlin Wall was taken down; North has a piece of it to this day. He is an active member of the Longview, WA Community.
Smiles Dental – Woodburn: Jackie (Jack) Kidder
Jack Kidder joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, after getting his mother’s permission and a signed release. He enlisted at a time when those who joined had to purchase their own uniforms. Kidder raised the money to buy his uniform by farming in Idaho. He served tours in Vietnam and the Philippines and rose to the rank of E6 1st Class Petty Officer before he retired after 20 years of service.
Smiles Dental – Salem: Steven Hallstead
Steven Hallstead served with the United States Marines during the Gulf War in 1977. He retired from the Marines in 1986 and now resides in Salem. Hallstead has found joy in football, art, painting and drawing in his retirement.
Smiles Dental – Lebanon: James (Jim) Parker
Jim Parker joined the United States Naval Service on September 8, 1954. Parker was promoted to commissioned status as Chief Warrant Officer in 1965. He served tours in the Vietnam and Korean conflicts. Parker has received six personal decorations, including a Purple Heart and combat “V” for Valor. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander on December 1, 1987 and now resides in Lebanon with his wife-Patti-his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Smiles Dental – Eugene: Carey White
Carey White joined the United States Air Force after graduating from North Eugene High School. After serving six years, White returned to Eugene to complete his degree in Computer Science from University of Oregon. He was nominated by his sister, who heard about the Smiles Dental gift on the local radio.
Smiles Dental – Roseburg: Jeffery Olsen
Jeffery Olsen joined the United States National Guard in June of 2009. After completing nine months of training, he now dedicates one weekend a month and two weeks a year to serve at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, OR. This gift is a blessing to Olsen, who works a civilian job and is raising a family of three children, in addition to the hours he devotes to the base.
Smiles Dental – Riddle: Robert Williams
Robert Williams joined the United States Navy in 1969. After serving three years aboard the U.S.S. Towers DDG-9, Williams spent a six-month tour in Vietnam. Williams then served a four and half year tour in Japan aboard the U.S.S. Kirk FF-1087, after which, he trained engineering personnel on the operations of a Naval ship. After 20 years of service, Williams retired from the Navy and now resides locally with his wife, Carla.
From all of us at Smiles Dental, we congratulate our Veteran recipients and say, “Thank you for your years of service to our country.”
About Smiles Dental:
Smiles Dental is a privately held, locally focused, multi-location group practice in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Longview, Washington, Smiles was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500/5000 Fastest Growing Companies in 2013 and 2014. Smiles has offices in Alaska, Oregon and Washington and continues to expand. The company’s unique culture fosters top quality dentistry and a highly personalized patient experience that has resulted in Smiles being recognized as “Best Dentist” in local polls for several years in multiple locations. The Smiles mission is Ultimate Service, Superior Performance and Positive Impact – this mission permeates throughout the organization and results in patient experience excellence.
For more information visit http://welovesmiles.com
Media Contact
Company Name: Smiles Dental
Contact Person: Monique Tindall
Email: Send Email
Phone: 503-720-9749
City: Anchorage
State: AK
Country: United States
Website: http://welovesmiles.com
Source: www.abnewswire.com
