Kohl’s Celebrates & Honors Those Who Served This Veterans Day
By: Michelle A. Banks, Kohl’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Kohl’s is proud to honor and celebrate our Veterans and active-duty military year-round, but Veterans Day is a special time for us to share the stories and sacrifices that so many brave men and women have made.
I recently had a chance to hear the stories of some of our Veterans and Military Business Resource Group (BRG) members and learn of their selflessness and bravery first-hand. I’m so proud to work for an organization that prides itself on hiring and supporting Veterans, and I’ve found that Veterans possess many of Kohl’s values, such as being accountable, resourceful and empathetic.
Our Veterans carry stories and experiences from across the world, and we can all be inspired by their journeys.
Get to Know a few of our Kohl’s Veterans
Continue reading about a few of our Kohl’s Veteran associates who have served in the United States military. As I got to know each of them, I was moved and proud to hear their stories of service and sacrifice.
Thomas Schafhausen, Maintenance Technician, Etna, Ohio - 3.5 years at Kohl’s
I served in the Navy as a Machinist Mate (Nuclear field) 3rd class from 2017 to 2019. I was stationed at Joint Weapon Station Goose Creek, S.C., where I was taught everything there is to know about the reactors on our carriers and submarines. I was also promoted to E-4. My father is in the military, and when I graduated high school, it just felt like the best route to take. The military experience gave me the tools and ability to learn quickly and rise to any situation. The way of life truly puts you a step ahead of others in your field if you stay true to what was taught.
How did your military service prepare you for life in retail, and what lessons from the military do you carry with you today?
My biggest lesson from the military is to trust but verify. This little lesson has saved me countless hours fixing machines where I work at our e-fulfillment center.
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans Day is a day to celebrate with others. It's a day to reach out to old buddies you've served with and check in—it's always a good day! I plan on spending Veterans Day reaching out to those I served with and checking in on them to make sure they are doing well and letting them know they are not alone.
How can others honor Veterans Day?
Simply thanking anyone who has served would suffice. I don't know anyone who served for the glory and free things they will get, so just thank those who have served. Kohl's has held events every year, and the company encourages associates to honor those deployed on Fridays by wearing RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) or giving veterans cool Veteran BRG attire for serving.
Megan Pippenger, Associate Tech Support Analyst - San Bernardino, Calif., 3 Years at Kohl’s
I was in the U.S. Navy as an Information Technician (IT3) and was 3rd Class Petty Officer (E-4). I was assigned permanent command as Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 (HSM-71) at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, Calif. and in A-School: in Pensacola, Fla.
What do you remember about the day you enlisted/commissioned?
I was so excited and ready to do something that I could be proud of and I felt like this was the best step for me to take to enter adulthood and become the best version of myself. I was also really nervous since I was unsure of exactly what I had signed up for.
What is a favorite memory from your time in service?
I have so many amazing memories from all of the amazing people I served with. My squadron deployed as part of an air wing detachment on the USS John C Stennis so I made many friends. We completed two crossing the line ceremonies and I am a Golden Shellback. I think those are my favorite memories. When Navy ships cross the equator, there is a crossing the line ceremony where "pollywogs" or sailors who have never crossed the equator earn their Shellback status by participating in a day of events put together by current Shellbacks ending with getting permission from King Neptune to become a shellback. Most of the events were silly or entertaining. If you complete your transition from pollywog to shellback while crossing the equator and the international date line at the same time, you earn Golden Shellback status. This is a time-honored tradition that dates back at least 400 years as a way to test a sailor's worth as a mariner.
Kurt Ehlers, Senior HRIS Analyst, Milwaukee, Wis. - 6 Years at Kohl’s
I served in the U.S. Navy as an Information Systems Technician Second Class (IT2) from 2009 to 2016. My service included being stationed at NSA/CSS Hawaii, NCTAMS Pacific, and onboard the USS Somerset (LPD-25). One of the most significant honors of my career was being a plank owner of the USS Somerset. I was part of the crew that commissioned the ship, named in honor of the heroes of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. While the work was intense and demanding, it was also incredibly rewarding. From long hours in Avondale, Louisiana, during the ship’s construction to its commissioning in Philadelphia, the experience fostered a deep sense of pride and camaraderie. Serving onboard the USS Somerset and being part of its legacy is something I’ll always cherish.
How did your military service prepare you for life in retail, and what lessons from the military do you carry with you today?
My military service didn’t directly prepare me for a career in retail, but it gave me the technical skills and mindset to troubleshoot just about anything. When I was offered a role at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) that I didn’t expect, it pushed me into a field that ultimately shaped my career. One of the most valuable lessons I took from the military is that it’s okay not to know everything—as long as you're committed to finding out. That sense of curiosity and the ability to leverage your network for answers has been vital to my success. The military also built the foundation for what I do today. While I’m no longer configuring antennas or delivering IP services to ships in the middle of the ocean, the overlap in technology makes my work fun and rewarding. The discipline, adaptability, and problem-solving I honed in the Navy have all translated into my current role, and those experiences continue to guide me.
What influenced you to join the military, and how did your experiences shape your life path?
I joined the military because I needed a change from Burlington, Wis. At 23, I felt like I wasn’t moving forward—having spent five years delivering pizzas and changing oil since high school. Enlisting seemed like the best way to get college paid for and make something of myself. Looking back, the decision profoundly shaped my life path. I was stationed in San Diego on the USS Somerset, where I met my wife, who was pursuing a graduate program at San Diego State University. After separating from the military honorably, I could use both the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill to earn my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the military, and I’m very grateful for that. Sometimes I miss it, but most of the time, I’m extremely thankful for the opportunities it gave me and that I was able to transition successfully.
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
To me, Veterans Day isn’t about personal recognition—it's about honoring the incredible sacrifices made by those who served. Many veterans left behind their families, careers, and lives as they knew them to serve a higher purpose. While military service comes with its rewards, not all veterans receive the care and support they truly deserve. Veterans Day is a reminder of their dedication and a moment where, as a nation, we come together to show our appreciation. Personally, I find it meaningful to see others recognized for their service.
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My conversations with Thomas, Megan and Kurt were so valuable, and I am honored to have shared some time with them to learn about their military and career journeys.
Supporting Our Veteran Communities
As part of our ongoing commitment to communities nationwide, Kohl’s, through Kohl’s Cares, is donating $100,000 to Operation Homefront, which helps build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive in the communities that they’ve worked so hard to protect.
We’re also proud to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which has numerous online mental health resources and programs that help support veterans and their families, free of charge. NAMI’s website has tips and guidance for veterans and active duty military members to support their mental wellness.
This Veterans Day, all Veterans and active-duty military will receive 30% off their purchase, in-store only, on Monday, November 11. *Some exclusions apply. Kohl’s also offers year-round military discounts as part of Military Mondays. Active military, veterans, retirees and their immediate family members receive 15% off qualifying purchases on Mondays, in-store only.
This Veterans Day and beyond, we thank our military members for selflessly serving and protecting.
Michelle A. Banks
