The Freedom Whiskey Co. 4th Annual Veterans Day Event

Army Specialist Christian Ward

$32,800 RAISED FOR THE CHRISTIAN WARD MEMORIAL FUND!

Our annual Veterans Day Event returned for the 4th time and this year was an extra special one. As we endured the tragic loss of our founder Zach Hollingsworth, the evening was spent carrying on his legacy and honoring our Veterans in the best way possible, just as he always did. We held our event at the Miamisburg Moose Lodge and the evening was spent honoring and showing love and appreciation for those who proudly helped shape our country. This new location for the event had a massive 600 person capacity and was prepped to host an incredible evening full of unbelievably tasty food from Heather's Cafe and Master Chef Season 5 contestant Tyler Viars, music from Three Road Junction, an open bar, raffle prizes, and of course mingling and enjoying stories between Veterans and civilian patriots alike.

Army Specialist Christian Ward
Memorial Scholarship Fund

In 2020, the Ward family established the Army Specialist Christian Ward Memorial Scholarship Fund. Their goal is to help high school students who are entering the United States Military with scholarships that are designed to help each recruit with expenses that they may encounter. They require each military recruit to complete a scholarship application process. All applicants must meet the requirements from the branch of military entering. They must also write a short essay explaining why he or she is choosing to enlist in the military. This was the foundation that Zach chose to support before he passed, and we are honored that we were able to carry on his legacy and wishes by supporting them at this event.

Learn About the Ward Fund

The 2021 Veteran of the Year:

Dr. James Slaughenhaupt
Major, United States Army

This year at our 4th Annual Veterans Day Celebration, we had the amazing honor of naming Dr. Jim Slaughenhaupt as the Freedom Whiskey Co. Veteran of the Year.

Dr. Slaughenhaupt was born and raised in Elyria, OH and after earning his Bachelor of Arts in Biology, he later earned the status of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine by 1996. He became part of the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program in 1993 and entered into 3 years of Active Duty. He was commissioned 2LT upon acceptance of the scholarship and promoted to CPT at graduation from Medical School.

He worked on the Medical Staff at Keller Army Community Hospital, West Point, NY and was assigned to Patterson Army Health Clinic, Ft. Monmouth, NJ 1999-2002. Dr. Slaughenhaupt completed Officers Basic Course and Combat Casualty Care Course in 1999 and had the honor of being promoted to Major in 2001.

Most notably, Dr. Slaughenhaupt provided medical support for incoming Reservists at the Ainsworth Army Health Clinic, Ft. Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY after the 9/11 attacks. He was a very near and dear friend to our founder Zach and spoke and helped him through many things on a daily basis. We are honored to name Dr. Slaughenhaupt as Veteran of the Year, just as Zach wished to do before he passed away.

Our Beloved Sponsors

We had drastically more support this year than any year past. We cannot thank these people, families, and businesses enough for the money they pledged towards the event. Without them and many others on the organization committee, this simply would not have been possible to do. We owe them eternally and are honored to have worked alongside them and show them our support in return.