Posted on 02/01/2006 9:52:01 PM PST by doug from upland
This morning I spoke with a representative of Anheuser Busch about their Superbowl commercial. First, here is some background.
In a club in San Bernardino with a couple hundred Marines, wives, and friends, I watched the Superbowl. I fought back a tear at the bar as I watched the commercial that honored the troops. The Marines in that club felt proud. They appreciate knowing that we appreciate what they do for us. Hell, just buying them beer to show appreciation made them feel good.
In the 1981 Champsionship Game (not Superbowl), Joe Montana engineered an 89-yard drive at the end of the game to defeat Dallas. Dwight Clark capped it off with a leaping 6-yard reception in the end zone to advance to the Superbowl. In post season lore, it became known simply as "The Catch."
In 1986, John Elway led his team on a 98-yard march that tied Cleveland in the Championship Game. The Broncos won in overtime. It became known simply as "The Drive."
As we watched the standout commercial of troops in the airport being cheered on in the terminal as they arrived home, we hope the moment will create its own Superbowl lore. May it forever be known simply as "The Commercial."
The representative of Anheuser Busch was kind enough to return my call. I wanted to know who was behind the brilliant commercial. They will be putting out a press release today because they have received more media inquiries than they can possibly field.
Here is some of the information. The commercial was filmed at LAX. Yes, those were real military personnel from various branches who have served in Iraq. According to the spokesperson, the response to the commercial has been overwhelming and positive.
They really did something special this time. Thanks, Anheuser Busch. I will remember Superbowl XXXIX not for a hard fought close game, but for "The Commercial."
I didn't see the Superbowl last year, so I never saw that commercial. Thank you for posting it. How beautiful. There are tears running down my cheeks now, and I don't weep easily.
I've seen it several times. Now that I know they were real soldiers and not actors, it means even more.
02/04/2005
Anheuser-Busch Honors U.S. Troops With Heroes Salute
St. Louis (Feb. 3, 2005) - Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. today announced its "Heroes Salute" to honor the U.S. Armed Services by offering free single-day admission to its SeaWorld or Busch Gardens parks to active duty military, active reservists, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guardsmen and as many as three direct dependents beginning Feb. 7 through Dec. 31, 2005. In addition, Anheuser-Busch will air a 60-second "salute" television ad during the broadcast of the Super Bowl to honor those who serve our country.
Heroes Salute will be officially introduced to the military on Feb. 6 in conjunction with a special Anheuser-Busch viewing party for Sunday's big game at Ft. Bragg, N.C., home of the XVIII CAPITAL AIRBORNE CORPS and U.S. ARMY Special Operations Command. Pre-game activities include appearances by the world-famous Clydesdales, exotic animals and shows from Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks with Julie Scardina, the Jacksonville Jaguar Cheerleaders, live music by Blues Traveler and game-day food and beverages compliments of Anheuser-Busch. Guests will also be treated to a special "sneak preview" presentation of Anheuser-Busch's advertising for Super Sunday's championship match up.
"In our own small way, we're giving something back to the brave men and women and their families who make sacrifices every day for our country," said August A. Busch IV, president, Anheuser-Busch Inc. "As a salute to America's heroes, we wish to extend a message of thanks and an invitation."
Any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service member or National Guard is entitled to free admission under the program. He or she need only register, either online at www.herosalute.com or in the entrance plaza of participating parks, and show a Department of Defense photo ID. As many as three direct dependents of military personnel also are entitled to free admission. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg and SeaWorld San Antonio are seasonal operations that will remain closed until spring 2005. Military personnel interested in visiting those parks should check operating schedules at www.herosalute.com. The remaining parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld San Diego are open year round.
Anheuser-Busch has previously honored U.S. armed forces with free admission to its theme parks. Nearly 2 million service members and their families visited free during Yellow Ribbon Summer following the first Gulf War and during the Anheuser-Busch Salute to America's Heroes, a post-9/11 tribute that included all branches of the U.S. military.
In addition, last year Anheuser-Busch donated $1 million to create the Intrepid/Anheuser-Busch Fallen Heroes Fund to provide scholarships to spouses and children of U.S. military and coalition personnel killed during the war in Iraq.
Anheuser-Busch has supported the U.S. armed services for nearly 150 years. In 1921, Adolphus Busch's widow, Lilly, opened the Busch family garden to the public, donating admission fees to disabled veterans.
The company also supports veterans' memorials in Washington, the Korean Memorial and the Vietnam Wall. The company also provides scholarship funds for USO members and Desert Storm survivors.
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. is the leading U.S. brewer and holds a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading brewer. In a survey of 10,000 business leaders and securities analysts, Anheuser-Busch ranked first overall in quality of products and services among nearly 600 companies researched in FORTUNE magazine's 2004 "America's Most Admired Companies" listing. The company also is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and is the world's largest recycler of aluminum beverage containers. For more information, visit
www.anheuser-busch.com.
Rumsfeld Reminds Troops: "America Supports You"
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2005 — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld sent heartfelt appreciation to U.S. servicemembers as part of DoD's "America Supports You" program and a reminder that the country is united behind its men and women in uniform.
"I simply want you to know that our country cares a great deal about you," the secretary said during his taped message, being aired on the Pentagon Channel and the America Supports You Web site. "I don't go anywhere that I don't have people express their admiration, their respect, and their confidence in your dedication and professionalism," the secretary said.
"We are so fortunate to have men and women — you, to be specific — willing to put your hand up and volunteer to serve your country," Rumsfeld added. "We thank you for it, and you should know in your heart that America supports you."
The secretary's tribute comes on the heels of a popular commercial that aired during the Feb. 6 Super Bowl game. The Anheuser-Busch-sponsored ad showed a group of servicemembers walking through an airport terminal. As they proceeded, people stood and started applauding them – first one, then a few, till there was a groundswell of heartfelt clapping.
Viewers could easily tell by the reactions on servicemembers' faces that America supports them. And that commercial was near the top of Super Bowl XXXIX favorites, according to pollsters on the public pulse.
The America Supports You program kicked off in November to showcase the many activities taking place across the United States in support of the troops. The campaign Web site, which highlights organizations and individuals coordinating local and national support efforts, has logged more than 1 million "hits."
Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of defense for internal communications and public liaison, said that while the Defense Department knew many of these activities existed, the site has become a useful tool in "helping to link people and programs, and more importantly, to share these stories of support with the people who need to hear them most -- the men and women serving overseas."
Support from the American people has been "overwhelming," Barber said, and feedback from the troops, "tremendous."
"Thanks to one and all for your tremendous support, spirit and prayers," wrote one soldier at Camp Slayer, Iraq, on the Web site. "We couldn't do what we do without everyone behind us. God bless you all, and God bless America."
"It really feels great to know that we are not alone here on the battlefield," wrote another soldier in Baghdad. "All the soldiers overseas really appreciate the kind gestures that you all share in your hearts, and taking the time out of your busy schedules to show all of your loving support for us who defend this great nation. Thank you!"
"Thank you, America. There aren't enough words to say how much we appreciate your support," wrote another deployed servicemember. "We will always be your guardians of freedom and your support is always a boost whenever we are serving our great country. Again, I say thank you. Godspeed, and God bless the USA!!!"
Best commercial ever, EVER!
Sesame Place and beer go together just fine; kind of like a fish and a bicycle.
I can barely type because of the tears. How can a beer company get it, but Democrats don't?
He'll be outside the stadium holding a gun yelling, "What's in your wallet?"
He'll be outside the stadium holding a gun yelling, "What's in your wallet?"
ROFL!!! OUTSTANDING! I can always use the laughs, thank you!
BTW - Dummy reaction:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x324349
You know that wasn`t filmed in NY or Mass. In my hometown of NY they would be doing that clapping for Bin Laden, and in Mass. for Ted Kennedy.
How do you like the upside down flag? I drive these types of idiots every single day. Since 911 I`ve driven thousands upon thousands of them and I`ve yet to hear even one of them curse out Bin Laden or even the pukes who flew those jets into my city.
bump...for a great commercial
Nice. Thanks...
Thanks Doug. That was great. I remember seeing and liking it a lot.
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