Retired U.S. Navy Master-at-Arms featured on special edition label
BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Evan Williams Bourbon, the second largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, announced today that it will honor Martinsville, Va. veteran John “J.C.” White as an Evan Williams American-Made Hero. White will receive a $5,000 donation from the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, to Paws for Purple Hearts, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of veterans facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions. His picture and story will be featured on the side of the special-edition label bottle sold nationwide.
As an American-made and American-owned brand, each year Evan Williams recognizes a select class of veterans for their exceptional stories of honor and bravery. This special edition bottle of Evan Williams Black Bourbon celebrates the heroic stories of military veterans chosen for their selfless acts of service at home and abroad.
Born in West Germany, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force, White grew up on military bases and always felt destined to serve. As a boy, he had three dreams – to be a cowboy, to be a police officer, and to be a soldier. He first enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1987, serving four years and becoming a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. Then, he turned his experience as a Master-At-Arms into a career as a civilian police officer.
White was moved to re-enlist after 9/11 and joined the Reserves, only to be called up to active duty three months later. He deployed five more times and was medically retired from a traumatic brain injury sustained during his last deployment. In all, his Navy career took him to 30 countries, including some places where he had the opportunity to fulfill one childhood dream of traveling on horseback like a cowboy.
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“I was born into it. It’s what I knew…what I prepared for,” White said. “If there’s a way for me to dedicate some of my money and time to other guys who went through what I went through, I want to do that.”
Although his injuries prevent him from returning to work, White still finds ways to serve his country and community. Over the course of his career, he has supported numerous local charities, volunteered as a Special Olympics coach, and mentored young sailors.
White has chosen Paws for Purple Hearts as the beneficiary of his $5,000 Evan Williams American-Made Hero honor. To learn more about their mission to improve the lives of America’s Warriors facing mobility challenges and trauma-related conditions such as PTSD and TBI, visit https://pawsforpurplehearts.
