Veteran associate reflects on service, recognition for military ahead of Veterans Day
“My name is Bob Lieb…that is Bob L..I..E..”
Just as the interview began, Bob is interrupted by a contractor walking in and embracing him on camera. The man turned to the camera crew and said, “You know, when you come over here to Lowe’s and give people a hug and tell them you love ‘em… [they’re] pretty special people.”
Then, he turned back to Bob. “You take care of yourself, Bob.”
Bob smiled and replied, “Well thank you, Walter.”
Similar scenes played out throughout the day as Bob went about his daily routine.
Bob Lieb is a 73-year-old Pro Loader for Lowe’s in Pearland, Texas. He is responsible for making sure Pro customers have the helping hand they need to get product loaded into trucks and onto trailers. It was immediately obvious that his relationship with his customers is much more than that.
“If we can just put a smile on somebody’s face, just for five seconds, that person is already having a better day,” Bob said, explaining his consistently positive disposition.
“If you have a good attitude, it is going to rub off on someone else. And it doesn’t cost anything. I don’t have to put out one red cent to try to make somebody’s day better. But, I sleep good at night.”
Bob was not wearing the traditional vest that most of the Lowe’s Pro Loaders wear. He was wearing a special camouflage vest made to honor our current and former members of the US military. Lowe’s rolled out these special camo vests earlier this year to any military associate who wanted one.
To Bob, his vest is more than a piece of work attire. It’s a symbol of his service and the company’s gratitude.
“Oh, it means the world,” he said. “It is very special to me for the company to realize that military people are important.”
Bob was an Army Artillery Sergeant using the 155mm Howitzer, a cannon-like artillery piece used around the globe and through wars such as World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam war.
When asked about the customers’ reaction to the vest, he said, “They turn around and say ‘thank you for your service.’ That is special. When somebody takes the time to see what you did and then turn around and say thank you. It means a lot… it really does, to all veterans, that they are recognized for what they did.”
Thank you for your service, Bob.
