Anheuser-Busch Honors Idaho Veterans During Inaugural Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Key Facts:

• Anheuser-Busch sponsored Idaho Honor Flight’s inaugural trip to Washington, D.C. for 49 Idaho veterans.
  
  
• The event builds on Anheuser-Busch’s five-year partnership with Honor Flight and longstanding commitment to supporting military, veterans, and first responders.
  
  

Yesterday Anheuser-Busch sponsored Idaho Honor Flight’s inaugural mission to Washington, D.C., providing 49 Veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor. The company funded the trip for the Idaho-based Veterans and hosted them for a special rooftop reception featuring remarks from U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (ID-2), U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), U.S. Representative Russ Fulcher (ID-1), Idaho Honor Flight President Photina Haumschilt, and Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth.

Brendan Whitworth, CEO, Anheuser-Busch said: “Anheuser-Busch has a long history of standing with the men and women who have served our country, and it was an incredible privilege to honor these Idaho Veterans in our nation’s capital. Days like this are a powerful reminder of the sacrifices they made on behalf of all Americans. We’re especially proud to celebrate Idaho, a state where our company has deep roots and a longstanding commitment to local farmers whose ingredients are the foundation of our high-quality products.”

Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer, Anheuser-Busch said: “Seeing these Veterans experience the memorials built in their honor made Idaho Honor Flight’s inaugural mission especially meaningful. At Anheuser-Busch, our longstanding commitment to supporting our nation’s heroes is at the core of who we are. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Honor Flight Network and grateful for the opportunity to help make this historic trip possible for Idaho Veterans.”

Through enduring partnerships with organizations like Honor Flight Network, Folds of Honor, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and many others, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners continue to champion the needs of Veterans, military families, and first responders who have served our country and communities – including the more than ten percent of Anheuser-Busch employees who are active service members or Veterans. This marks the fifth consecutive year Anheuser-Busch has partnered with Honor Flight chapters across the country to pay tribute to our nation’s Veterans.

Photina Haumschilt, President, Idaho Honor Flight said: “Idaho’s inaugural Honor Flight was a special moment for our Veterans and everyone who helped make it possible. Seeing these men and women visit the memorials built in their honor is something our community will not soon forget. We’re grateful to Anheuser-Busch for helping bring this first mission to life and for its longstanding partnership with Honor Flight Network.”

Idaho Governor Brad Little said: “The sacrifices made by our veterans stand as a testament to their dedication to liberty, democracy, and justice, which are the foundation of our great state and nation. It is a true honor to salute the courage of the Idaho heroes taking part in today’s inaugural Idaho Honor Flight. Each of us owes a solemn debt to those who defended our freedoms, and I am grateful to the Honor Flight Network and Anheuser-Busch for their longstanding commitment to celebrating our veterans and preserving their legacy.”

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (ID) said: “Today, Idaho veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., on the first Idaho Honor Flight to visit the memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. These brave men and women answered the call to defend our nation and the freedoms we cherish, and we owe them a lasting debt of gratitude. I commend the Honor Flight Network and Anheuser-Busch for their commitment to honoring Idaho’s veterans and helping ensure these American heroes receive the recognition they have earned.”

U.S. Senator James Risch (ID) said: “It is an honor to celebrate Idaho’s Inaugural Honor Flight, bringing veterans from the Gem State who served in the Vietnam and Korean Wars to Washington, D.C. These brave men and women display unwavering courage, patriotism, and devotion to duty. I commend Anheuser-Busch and their partnership with Honor Flight to make this important recognition and opportunity a reality for the veterans and service members who represent the very best of our state and country.”

U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (ID-2) said: “The Idaho Honor Flight marks a historic moment for our state. Standing alongside these distinguished Idaho veterans at today’s Honor Flight is a privilege I will never take for granted. We are grateful to Honor Flight and Anheuser-Busch for their commitment to ensuring these veterans receive the recognition they so richly deserve.”

U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee said: “Our veterans have dedicated themselves to protecting the freedoms we cherish, and their service deserves our deepest respect and gratitude. It is a privilege to celebrate the inaugural Idaho Honor Flight and welcome these remarkable veterans to our nation’s capital. Thank you to the Honor Flight Network and Anheuser-Busch for honoring these heroes and their commitment to our country.”

U.S. Representative Russ Fulcher (ID-1) said: “It is an honor to welcome our Idaho veterans to Washington, D.C., for the inaugural Idaho Honor Flight and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices they made to preserve our freedom. I am grateful to the Honor Flight Network and Anheuser-Busch for their dedication to supporting veterans and to everyone who helped make this meaningful experience possible. It is a special opportunity to honor Idaho’s heroes and their families, showing them that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Anheuser-Busch has long been a committed part of the Idaho community and economy, operating five agricultural facilities in the state and purchasing high-quality barley and hops from more than 230 Idaho farmers every year to brew its iconic American beers.

Earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch announced a $4 million investment in its Idaho Falls operations and a $50,000 grant to the University of Idaho through the Anheuser-Busch Foundation to support barley research. These announcements build on more than $11 million invested in the company’s Idaho operations since 2021.

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ABOUT HONOR FLIGHT NETWORK

The Honor Flight Network, founded in 2005, is a national nonprofit organization comprised of approximately 135 hubs across the United States. The Network’s mission is to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials, at no cost to the veterans. Honor Flight provides a long-overdue hero’s welcome for veterans who have honorably served our nation – offering profound gratitude, community, closure, and camaraderie along the way. To find out more, please visit www.honorflight.org.

ABOUT IDAHO HONOR FLIGHT

Idaho Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring America’s Veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. The organization serves Veterans across Eastern Idaho and relies on community support, volunteers, and sponsors to carry out its mission. Donations directly support the organization’s efforts to provide these trips at no cost to Veterans.

ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH

At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. For more than 165 years as a leading American manufacturer, we have delivered a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. As the nation’s top brewer, one of the fastest growing spirits companies, and an insurgent force in energy drinks, we drive economic prosperity nationwide through investments in our people, facilities, and communities. We are the only alcohol company that invests in the U.S. at this scale.

We are home to the nation’s most iconic beers, ready-to-drink spirits and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA – America’s #1 top-selling and fastest-growing beer – Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Cutwater Spirits, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer, industry-leading craft beers and non-alcohol beers like Michelob ULTRA Zero. We are guided by our commitment to the communities we call home and to the 65,000 hardworking Americans who bring our products to life. That’s who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

FAQs

1. What is Idaho Honor Flight?

Idaho Honor Flight is a chapter of the Honor Flight Network that transports Veterans from Eastern Idaho to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor at no cost to the Veterans.

2. What did Anheuser-Busch do to support Idaho Honor Flight’s inaugural mission?

Anheuser-Busch sponsored Idaho Honor Flight’s inaugural trip to Washington, D.C., sponsoring the journey for 49 Idaho Veterans and hosting a special reception to recognize their service and sacrifice.

3. Has Anheuser-Busch worked with Honor Flight Network in the past?

Yes. Anheuser-Busch has partnered with Honor Flight Network for five consecutive years to help Veterans visit the memorials built in their honor in Washington, D.C.

4. How does Anheuser-Busch support Veterans and first responders?

Through partnerships with organizations like Honor Flight Network, Folds of Honor, Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and others, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners support Veterans, military families, and first responders. More than 10% of Anheuser-Busch employees are active service members or Veterans

5. What is Anheuser-Busch’s connection to Idaho?

Anheuser-Busch operates five agricultural facilities in Idaho and purchases barley and hops from more than 230 Idaho farmers each year to help brew its iconic American beers.

6. How else has Anheuser-Busch invested in Idaho?

Earlier this year, Anheuser-Busch announced a $4 million investment in its Idaho Falls operations and a $50,000 grant to the University of Idaho to support barley research. These investments build on more than $11 million invested in the company’s Idaho operations since 2021.