Erv’s Mug & the Honor Flight

Our veterans are never forgotten.

As we enter into the Memorial weekend, we decided to reflect on our participation in raising funds for our vets in this area. It began in 2018 when we partnered with a local group organizing a run called "We run, they fly". This group held a Run and other events to raise funds for the local Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Between 2018 and 2021, we ran several events and sponsored the run each year. Unfortunately, at some point, one of the organizers of the run did not have the best intentions... (Google it)

But we wanted to continue our support, and we looked for a different way to do so. By coincidence, in 2022, Oso Brewing created a beer called "Never Forgotten".

Never Forgotten is a reference to the Central/Northern Wisconsin Honor Flight Organization. In 2022, O'so donated over $8,400 to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight.

In 2023, Oso raised over $13,000 from their partnership with all of the Honor Flights servicing WI. Now Oso works with close to 800 Veteran Organizations in WI, and they host their own Honor Flight Run/Walk.

In 2024, Oso raised $22,000 dollars, and they are hoping to raise even more this year in 2025. Oso donates $2 for every case and $14 for every barrel sold, in addition to all the profits from the Run held in May.   We play but a small part in the overall amounts raised by Oso, but the cause still means so much to us. Like many families, most of us have been touched by a veteran's call to serve. Erv himself tried to follow in the footsteps of his Uncle and join the Navy, but a health condition kept him out. His Uncle, Richard Dermody, a career service man, carved the Eagle above our fireplace.

For our part, around Memorial Day and Veterans Day, when the beer named "Never Forgotten" is on tap, any vet dining with us can enjoy this beer that honors their service for free. In addition, any customer can buy a beer for a vet and fill out a card thanking them for their service and remembering them. The proceeds from the beers purchased by customers are donated by us back to the local Stars and Stripes Honor Flight that serves this area and other veteran causes. This wonderful program of the Honor Flight is such an important and treasured program for our vets, and we are excited that the father of one of our staff members has been chosen to fly this summer.

This weekend, we honor the individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and we raise a glass to their service.

And to the vets around us, let us buy you a beer and remind you that you are never forgotten.