Blind Veterans Cross the Army Ten-Miler Finish Line, Despite Heavy Rain, with support of Meta AI Glasses and Lighthouse Guild

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Meta and Lighthouse Guild, a nonprofit organization that provides care, community and technology to the blind and low-vision community, teamed up to bring the power of wearable AI and accessibility to the Army Ten-Miler, a race known to carry on rain or shine, in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 11. The two organizations sponsored a team of 8 runners who ran the race, including blind U.S. Army veterans Roosevelt Morring, Rob Sanchas, and Shawntina Gibson along with Lighthouse Guild President & CEO Thomas Panek, who was guided by Meta's Kelly Ingham, Vice President of AI Wearables and Research Partnerships. Each of the blind runners on the team were given a pair of Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses to enhance their race experience, and were also guided by human guides from Achilles International.

The Army Ten-Miler served as a powerful backdrop for Meta's commitment to provide free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to every blind veteran in America.  More than 130,000 American veterans are legally blind and are eligible. The initiative is designed to give veterans who have given so much in service to their country access to AI-powered technology that can assist with reading documents, identifying and describing surroundings, navigating environments, completing everyday tasks and accessing information — helping remove barriers in everyday life.

For these veterans, the Army Ten-Miler was more than a race — it was an opportunity to return to the community they served and experience technology designed to give back to those who have given so much. Running alongside thousands of active-duty service members, veterans and civilian runners, the team demonstrated how technology, human connection, and community can work together to create greater independence and possibility for people who are blind or have vision loss.

"These veterans defended our freedom. They shouldn't have to give up any of their own freedom when they lose their sight," said Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild. "On this course, with AI glasses describing the world around them and a guide at their side, they showed what independence looks like in action. Meta's commitment means every blind veteran can have that. Our job at Lighthouse Guild is to make sure they're empowered to use the glasses to their best abilities."

For Panek, the Army Ten-Miler builds on his own experience using AI glasses while running. Earlier this year, he became the first blind person to complete a half marathon wearing Meta AI glasses at the NYC Half, demonstrating the technology's potential as a tool for greater independence and mobility.

"Technology is only useful if it reaches the people who need it, and that's why Meta is donating Meta AI glasses at no cost to blind veterans across the country," said Kelly Ingham, Vice President of AI Wearables and Research Partnerships. "Being vision impaired shouldn't dictate what you can and can't do, and these glasses give people more independence in everyday moments. Running the Army Ten-Miler alongside military veterans like Rob, Roosevelt and Shawntina, who've sacrificed for our nation, is a powerful reminder of why that matters." 

"When I lost my vision, I knew I had two choices: stop doing the things I love or find a way to keep moving forward," said Rob Sanchas, U.S. Army veteran and member of the Meta and Lighthouse Guild team. "Being out there at the Army Ten-Miler with other veterans using the Meta AI glasses was pretty incredible, and I hope more blind veterans realize there's still so much out there for us to do."

About Lighthouse Guild

Lighthouse Guild helps people who are blind or have vision loss to live, work and shine by providing care, community and technology. Our vision is a society made better by the vitality and achievements of the blind and low-vision community. For more information, visit lighthouseguild.org. 

About Meta

Meta is building the future of human connection, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving toward building experiences that foster deeper connections and unlock new possibilities.

Contact

Hayley Meisel, CIVIC on behalf of Lighthouse Guild;
[email protected], 914-815-1783

SOURCE Lighthouse Guild