Hamburg Brewing Company Hosts Veterans Benefit to Remember Fallen Heroes

HAMBURG, N.Y. (WKBW) — Hamburg Brewing Company welcomed neighbors on Memorial Day to remember our fallen heroes and raise funds for two organizations benefitting veterans and their families.

Proceeds from the brewery’s annual veterans benefit will benefit the Project 33 Memorial Foundation and the Buffalo Blues.

“Our mission is to honor fallen special operations forces since 9/11,” said Chris Yaw, vice president of Project 33. “Each year, we select an individual honoree and work with that honoree’s family. .. all of our fundraising efforts throughout the year are ultimately donated to a charity chosen by the family of the deceased service member.”

The 2024 Project 33 winner is U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Marcus V. Muralles, who died in 2005 near Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

Money raised from Monday’s event also goes to the Buffalo Blues, which hosted 75 local concerts to raise money for veterans.

“I’ve had 273 musicians play for us, and not one of them paid a dime,” said Rick Suto, director of Buffalo Blues. “It’s a volunteer organization. All money goes to support over 31 local veterans’ charities.

Including proceeds from that event, Suto said the organization donated $275,000 to area veterans.

The day was filled with live music, dancing, food and drinks.

“Take this day as a day of celebration,” Yaw said. “Please don’t take away the barbecues, the beers, the good times that people have on Memorial Day. You’re supposed to have all of that.”

However, Yaw said we should also use this day to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who fought for our country.

“Even though it’s researching an individual, learning their story and saying their name, you have to take a moment to understand the gravity of what they did in support of the United States of America.” , Yaw said.