Three colors have been added to some of Starbucks iconic green aprons - red, white and blue.

"I will wear this with pride," said Rikki Shattuck, a shift supervisor at a Starbucks store near a large military base in Washington state.

Shattuck smiled as she looked at her personalized apron featuring an embroidered United States flag, her name and her military affiliation. Rikki, who just got married two weeks ago, is an Air Force spouse.

"What Starbucks is doing has an impact that goes far beyond the symbolism of adding a flag to the apron. It's another way they're supportive of their partners, the military and especially this community," said Rikki's husband, Master Sgt. Justin Shattuck with the 446 Airlift Wing.

Rikki is among the 20 partners (employees) who were the first to receive patriotic Starbucks aprons.  Later this year, more of the new aprons will be distributed to partners who have signed up at Roll Call - a website where partners can identify their military affiliation. The site is part of Starbucks commitment to hire 10,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2018.

"This is a way to honor partners who served in the military and veterans' spouses," said Cliff Burrows, group president, U.S., Americas, and Teavana. "We know the strength of the Siren when people are traveling the world. This extra identification on aprons will help create an even stronger relationship between our partners and customers who have a military connection."

Burrows presented the initial set of aprons today (July 3, 2014) to partners who work at the company's first military Community Store in Lakewood, Washington.

Not far from the massive Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Starbucks store serves many military personnel. Starbucks also donates 10 cents of each store purchase to the nonprofit Tacoma Goodwill, which provides job training and placement for transitioning veterans through their Operation GoodJobs program.

"We always know for stores to be truly successful they have to represent and be an active player in the community," Burrows added.

Many of the Lakewood store partners have a deep connection to the military, either through their own service, or a family member's service to the country.

Amy Quesenberry is the store manager and serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. During her service she has been deployed seven times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. Devin Craig, the district manager, is an Army veteran.

"Partners here are already part of a unique store because of its connection with the community," said Craig. "The aprons with an American flag and their military affiliation on them are going to be worn with pride. This store really is a community hub, and we're honored to be a part of it."

For more information on this news release, contact the Starbucks Newsroom .

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