Anheuser-Busch Receives Prestigious Secretary of Defense ‘Outstanding Public Service’ Award

Second-Highest Civilian Honor Given to Company for Long-Standing Military Support

ST. LOUIS (May 15, 2009) – Today, General Duncan McNabb of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) presented Anheuser-Busch President Dave Peacock with the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award for the company’s public service in support of men and women in uniform.

The DoD acknowledged Anheuser-Busch for its 150-year support of the U.S. military including its “Budweiser Here’s to the Heroes” tribute program that provides free admission to Anheuser-Busch theme parks for members of United States military and their families, and its

$1 million donation to create the Intrepid-Anheuser-Busch Fallen Heroes fund giving scholarships to spouses and children of military personnel killed during the war in Iraq.

“These initiatives by Anheuser-Busch made a difference in the lives of those who serve our nation, and their families,” said General McNabb, commander of U.S. Transportation Command.  “But they also sent a message – that our nation values these people, real people – the kind of people we know are part of our culture.  They are part of the new ‘Greatest Generation.’”

The Outstanding Public Service Award is the second-highest citation the Defense Department can award to private citizens for contributions, assistance or support to DoD functions.  The Secretary of Defense approves and signs the award.

I am honored on behalf of the Anheuser-Busch family to accept this award, but the true honor is being able to offer members of the military and their families support, either through scholarships or a fun day at one of our theme parks,” said Dave Peacock, president,

Anheuser-Busch.  “These are small tokens that only moderately communicate the immense pride and appreciation we all feel each day for our friends, family and neighbors sacrificing their safety for our freedom.”

Upon receipt of the award, Peacock gave General McNabb a commemorative Budweiser Military Challenge Coin.  Challenge coins have a long history in the military and are collected by military personnel around the world to commemorate interaction with another member of the armed forces.  Commanders use specially minted military coins to improve morale, foster unit spirit and honor service members for their hard work.

Whether lending technical expertise, materials and facilities to bolster America’s defense, or raising funds for veterans and dependents of military families, Anheuser-Busch has never hesitated in its commitment to America’s armed forces.  The company and its charitable foundation have supported a variety of military charities, including, but not limited to, 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. 

The company’s “Here’s to the Heroes” program, sponsored by Budweiser, 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.  This tribute program was launched in February 2005 and has been extended through 2009.  For more information, visit www.herosalute.com.

U.S. Transportation Command is a $10 billion enterprise, encompassing both military and commercial services.  The command has three components: Air Mobility Command (Air Force), Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (Army), and Military Sealift Command (Navy).  U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command are located at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.