OUR HEROES
We are proud to name this year's class of American-Made Heroes: six inspiring veterans who continue to answer the call to serve. We are honored to support their charities through the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, and feature each of them on our Evan Williams American Hero Edition bottles.
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brian barber Sergeant E5
U.S. Marine Corps
Mission FISHAs a radio operator, Brian kept squadrons and artillery units in constant communication with each other to ensure their safety. After returning home, he founded Mission FISH (Fishing, Interacting, Sharing and Healing) to help veterans embrace the healing qualities of nature in a supportive community.
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laura jeanne Chief Warrant Officer 3
U.S. Army
Adapt-Able FoundationAs one of the U.S. Army's first female pilots, Laura paved the way for women in aviation. After becoming a paraplegic, she helped establish the Adapt-Able Foundation, where veterans with disabilities can discover the therapeutic benefits of SCUBA diving.
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chaz koch Petty Officer 3rd Class
U.S. Navy
Operation Paws on the GroundAfter serving as Master-at-Arms and earning the rank of Expert Marksman, Chaz turned towards helping veterans. Now, he's Executive Director of Operation Paws on the Ground, which trains shelter dogs as service animals and pairs them with veterans in need.
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mandy hazelton Master Sergeant
U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Genesis Joy HouseThroughout her 20 years of service, Mandy focused on helping others: providing healthcare to her fellow service members. Today, she continues to give back through Genesis Joy House, which aims to improve the quality of life for homeless female veterans.
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david e. mccracken Colonel
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Veteran Smiles FoundationDavid served in the Special Forces for nearly three decades, becoming a commander and earning the title of Distinguished Member. After retiring, he founded the Veteran Smiles Foundation to help North Carolina veterans receive the quality dental care they deserve.
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susan wagner Senior Chief Hospital
Corpsman Diver
U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Smiles for VeteransA passion for medicine and love of water led Susan to a 22-year military career, serving as a Medical Deep Sea Diver. Now, she's a board member for Smiles for Veterans, which provides dental care to those not covered by the Veterans Administration.
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VETERANS IN CONVERSATION
Every veteran's story is unique. We brought some of our past American-Made Heroes together to share their experiences.
Previous American-Made Heroes
Every American-Made Hero has a courageous and inspiring story to tell. Meet our past Heroes.
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