Budweiser, USO and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Nation’s Military for Veterans Day

Organizations Work Together To Host Veterans at NFL Games across the Country

ST. LOUIS (Nov. 6, 2009) – In celebration of Veterans Day and as a thank you to those who serve their country, Budweiser is working with the USO and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to host military veterans at NFL games over the next two weekends.

Budweiser, which sponsors 28 of the 32 NFL teams, is donating a block of tickets at 11 games to the USO and VFW to distribute to retired military personnel.

“The tickets are a small gesture from the Budweiser family to show our appreciation for the courage and sacrifice shown by our troops,” said Dave Peacock, president, Anheuser-Busch. “More than 5,500 Anheuser-Busch employees have served in the military since World War I.  We not only salute the millions of veterans across the country, but the many veterans currently working at Anheuser-Busch.”

On Sunday, Nov. 8, Budweiser will host veterans at home games for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  On Sunday, Nov. 15, veterans will attend games hosted by the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.

“In addition to its longtime support of the USO, Budweiser continues to create meaningful ways to recognize the members of our armed forces,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president and CEO.  “Budweiser is a valued friend of the USO and plays a key role in raising awareness about our mission to provide morale-boosting programs and services to troops and their families.”

“Veterans Day recognizes the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families,” said Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr., National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  “Whether it’s through complimentary football tickets, local parades or community events, Veterans Day activities are greatly appreciated and do not go unnoticed by the military community.”

In addition to the tickets, special messages from Budweiser are being planned for professional football broadcasts thanking veterans for their service.  The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales also will appear in the annual Veterans Day Parade in St. Louis. 

Anheuser-Busch and its charitable foundation support a variety of military charities, including the USO, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Pentagon Memorial Fund, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. 

In 2005, Anheuser-Busch became one of the first corporate sponsors of the Department of Defense’s “America Supports You” campaign.  In May 2009, General Duncan McNabb of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) presented Anheuser-Busch with the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award for the company’s public service in support of men and women in uniform. 

Anheuser-Busch’s “Here’s to the Heroes” program provides a single-day’s free admission to any one SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park, Sesame Place, Adventure Island or Water Country USA for the service member and as many as three of his or her direct dependents.  For more information, visit www.herosalute.com.

Special USO programs include Operation USO Care Package, USO Operation Phone Home®, Operation Enduring Care, the Mobile USO program, Operation Mail Call, Gifts from the Homefront, USO CarePages, and participation in the United Through Reading® Military Program.  As America’s military has become more expeditionary, so too has the USO, now using such programs as the ‘USO in a Box’ and ‘USO To Go’ to deliver morale-boosting services to the troops wherever they serve.  As a nonprofit organization, the USO relies on the generosity of the American public to support its vital work.  To donate to the USO, visit www.uso.org/donate.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans' service organization composed of combat veterans and those who currently serve on active duty or in the Guard and Reserves.  Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation's largest organization of war veterans and is one of its oldest veterans' organizations. With 2.1 million members located in 7,900 VFW Posts worldwide, the VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans service, legislative initiatives, youth scholarships, Buddy Poppy and national military service programs.  Annually, the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 13 million hours of community service to the nation.  For more information or to join, visit the organization's Web site at www.vfw.org.

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser‑Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 49.2 percent share of U.S. beer sales.  The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light.  Anheuser‑Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer.  Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Global Companies list in 2009.  Anheuser‑Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.