(This article first appeared in the November 2019 issue of “Dealer E-News.”) Throughout the nation, the country will recognize Veterans Day on November 11 and the sacrifices U.S. soldiers have made to serve our country.

This Veterans Day, we wanted to highlight one of our dealers who made a difference in the life of a veteran in the window film industry. Nashville, Tennessee film company Solar Insulation Window Films was presented a Patriot Award earlier this year from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The award was established by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program organized in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.

The Patriot Award recognizes supervisors and bosses nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for outstanding support.

“This is a huge compliment and we are humbled to be receiving such an honorable award – especially an award from the U.S. National Guard,” said CEO Dave Andrews. “Those in the military services are such selfless people and they do so much for us. To be recognized by them is such a tremendous honor.”

Since 1975, Solar Insulation has been furnishing and installing window film on commercial and government buildings, residential homes and automobiles throughout Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. The company has grown to nine employees, including four professional installers. Many of its employees have been with the company for 10 years or more. The company is the leader in the sales and installation of solar, safety, security and custom graphic films to customers throughout the area.

The award nomination was submitted by Specialist Seth Clarke of the 629th Military Intelligence Battalion of the Maryland National Guard. Clarke, who grew up in the window film industry, lives in the Washington, D.C. area and had started his own business, Veteran Film Team, as a traveling window film installer. With his business model, he is able to contract work around his military schedule. Clarke said that Solar Insulation was one of his first customers and the first to offer him work outside of Maryland.

“I nominated Andrews and his company for giving me a shot as a first-time business owner just starting out,” Clarke said. “They are very good to work with. They are honest; they say what they mean and mean what they say. I appreciated that.”

Andrews said that another window film dealer had first recommended Seth and that Solar Insulation has called on Seth’s assistance several times after the initial work was complete.

“He’s from out of the market, but we bring him in when we need him. I wish he’d come live in Nashville,” Andrews said. “Seth shows up early, is very well mannered and is the model employee. He represented the company well to our customers, who would tell me how much they enjoyed working with him. The quality of his work is outstanding.”

For more information about Solar Insulation Window Films, visit www.solarinsulation.com.