Here are two veteran-owned Made in America companies to keep in mind, especially this Veterans Day.
Sword & Plough
Using repurposed military surplus material, Sword & Plough’s bags and accessories for men and women subtly evoke military themes with sophistication. Though the company’s products warrant attention for their stylishness alone, its commitment to veterans truly earns respect.
Sisters Emily and Betsy Núñez founded Sword & Plough in 2012 with the goal of empowering veterans, reducing waste and strengthening civil-military understanding.
Having grown up in a military family, both women intimately understand the sacrifices service members make for our nation. Emily even followed in her father’s footsteps by serving as an active duty officer in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps.
Sword & Plough employs veteran-owned or partially-operated manufacturers in California, Colorado, Florida and Kentucky. But, not only does Sword & Plough support over 65 veteran jobs, the company also donates 10 percent of its profits or two percent of its revenue, whichever is greater, to veteran organizations such as Got Your 6 and Team Red, White & Blue.
Just this Veterans Day weekend, Sword & Plough is offering a 10 percent discount with the code FOX10 until Nov. 13. However, the company honors retired and active duty military personnel as well as first responders with a 20 percent discount every day.
Flags of Valor
The American flag is a deeply meaningful symbol worldwide, but perhaps even more treasured by the military's men and women, who sacrifice so much in the service of our country.
When Flags of Valor founder Brian Steorts entered rehabilitation for a service-related injury after nearly 15 years in the military, he missed the ever-present symbol of his patriotism that came right on the sleeve of his uniform. In searching for a way to display his love of the United States, Steorts found American flags, but they were made in other countries. Thus, he began handcrafting his own and gifting the products of his labor to the families of fallen service members.
What began as a hobby project in a workshop has become a thriving business based in Ashburn, Va. Today, Flags of Valor employees transform wood into works of art in the form of the American flag. Each piece is signed by the artisans responsible for its creation, the majority of whom are service-disabled veterans with significant combat-related injuries.
Patriotism inspired the launch of Flags of Valor, and it remains integral to the business and its mission.
“Whether you have one of our flags or not, it’s about promoting patriotism. Getting to create and run my own company is a privilege, but getting to work every day with America’s finest is an honor,” Steorts says in the video below.
Sword & Plough and Flags of Valor are just two of many great veteran-owned businesses keeping it made in America. There are plenty more that we’ve featured in the past! For a company founded and operated by military spouses, check out this story on R. Riveter. You can also read about Rags of Honor, a Chicago-based screen-printing company with the mission of providing employment and services for homeless vets.
Has all this talk of shopping whetted your appetite for the holidays? You’re in luck! We’ll unveil our 2019 Made in America Holiday Gift Guide with recommendations for everyone on your list come Nov. 19!