First Line Brewing
Two breweries leave 13 beers on reserved tables for service members killed in Afghanistan
At least two breweries – New York’s First Line Brewing and Georgia/Virginia’s New Realm Brewing have left tables set and poured beers for the 13 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan during a terrorist attack this week.
On Friday, First Line Brewing posted to their Facebook Page a reserved table with 13 beers for those that will never return. The brewery even re-poured the beers throughout the night to make sure they were fresh and cold, as if they were about to sit down.
“13 glasses will sit un touched at this reserved table all night for the 13 American troops who were killed in Afghanistan on August 26th. These brave courageous individuals paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” the post from First Line Brewing says. Additionally, First Line intends to make a donation or donations on behalf of the 13 service members.
Additionally. New Realm Brewing in Atlanta, their distillery in Savannah, as well as their brewery in Virginia Beach set tables for the fallen.
This table will be reserved all night for the 13 military heroes we lost at the airport in Kabul, along with a round of beer for each of them.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families. In humble gratitude, we honor the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country, New Realm said in an Instagram post. The brewery set full dinner places in their Atlanta barrel room.
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“Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families. In humble gratitude, we honor the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country,” New Realm writes, echoing First Line Brewing’s sentiment – ” God bless their families and loved ones. God bless the United States of America.”
The observance is also known as the “Missing Man Table,” a memorial that is set up during US Armed Forces official dining functions. The table is a focal remembrance of those that have fallen, or missing in action. Many restaurants across the U.S., especially by those owned by veterans, maintain such a table year-round.
After this article was published, we’ve seen even more tributes in the same manner. Readers also pointed out Rustech Brewing, Catawba Island Brewing, and even the Atlanta Braves.
The names of the 13 killed in the attack:
Maxton Soviak, 22, Navy – Berlin Heights, Ohio
Kareem Nikoui, 20, Marines – Norco, California
David Lee Espinoza, 20, Marines – Laredo, Texas
Rylee McCollum, 20, Marines – Bondurant, Wyoming
Jared Schmitz, 20, Marines – St. Charless County, Missouri
Hunter Lopez, 22, Marines – Indio, California
Daegan W. Page, 23, Marines – Omaha, Nebraska
Ryan Knauss, 23, Army – Knoxville, Tennessee
Darin Taylor Hoover Jr., 31, Marines – Midvale, Utah
Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, Marines – Lawrence, Massachusetts
Humberto Sanchez, Marines – Logansport, Indiana
Nicole L. Gee, 23, Marines – Sacramento, California
Dylan R. Merola, 20, Marines – Rancho Cucamonga, California
Ed Note: If there are other breweries that have paid tribute in similar fashion, let us know.
