Troops saluted with pizza and beer - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Troops saluted with pizza and beer

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By Karen Cohilas - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Thousands of troops in war zones will enjoy a refreshing treat on Independence Day thanks to some Albany workers.

They help protect our freedom, so on the day we celebrate that freedom the troops will get some pizza and beer.

The Albany Miller-Coors plant is joining a cause to send a home style celebration to troops overseas.

8,000 cases of brew, and 28,000 pizzas are going to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Pizza 4 Patriots and the Suds for Soldiers programs.

"This is just a small token, a small way for us to say we thank you for protecting us day in/day out and being able to have our 4th of July and this 4th of July we plan on tasting those and honoring those individuals who are serving our country," said MillerCoors Plant Manager Chris Thelen.

Forklift operator Mike Wise has worked at MillerCoors for 30 years, since the plant opened in Albany. But it's the first time he's been able to participate in an event like this.

"I think it's wonderful. It's a nice way to say thank you to all those who wear the uniform to protect our country," Wise said.

While most of us can just go to the corner store and pick of beer and order a pizza, for troops serving overseas, it's not so easy. That's why MillerCoors chose to send the beer to them, for a little piece of home. And a way to thank them for protecting our homeland.

"We live here with all our rights and freedoms that they provide for us by risking their lives for our country," said Wise.

"I think it's really important that we honor our troops and that we have a way of saying thank you," said Thelen.

Thanks for what they do, with a little pizza, and a cold brew.

In addition to the Albany brewery, plants in Golden, Colorado and Milwaukee, Wisconsin also contributed to the program.

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