Budweiser, Legion to host vets at pro-sports events

In celebration of Veterans Day, Budweiser is joining the USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion to host veterans at NFL, NBA and NHL games from Oct. 31 to Nov. 15. Budweiser is donating tickets to the USO, VFW and The American Legion to distribute to local veterans.

"The game tickets are a small gesture of thanks from Budweiser to veterans across the country for their courage, sacrifice and commitment to our nation," said Dave Peacock, president, Anheuser-Busch. "Since World War I, more than 5,500 Anheuser-Busch employees have served in the military. This promotion is not only a salute to the millions of veterans across the country, but also to the many veterans currently working at Anheuser-Busch."

Veterans are being provided tickets to home games of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. Tickets will also be distributed for home games of the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, as well as the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Hornets.

In addition to the tickets, teams will be honoring veterans with special public address announcements, pre- and post-game ceremonies and "thank you" messages on scoreboards and video screens.

As an additional tribute to the men and women of the military, Budweiser's float in the upcoming 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade will be named "Proud to Serve Those Who Serve." Riding on the float will be representatives of the American Legion, Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, USO and VFW. Budweiser is also selecting five Anheuser-Busch employees who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Marines to ride on the float. The float will be pulled by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, whose appearance is always one of the most eagerly anticipated entries in the parade.

Budweiser is also giving one lucky adult consumer (and three guests) a chance to ride the float through its "Celebration of Freedom" sweepstakes that runs through Nov. 30. The prize includes a four-day, three-night stay for four, along with tickets to the Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio. Consumers can enter by texting "PARADE" to shortcode BEERS (23377) or visiting http://www.budweiser.com/parade.