Evil Horse Brewing Company Pays Tribute to Veterans

Evil Horse Brewing Company is holding a night to celebrate two of its favorite things: veterans and horses. For all the details, see below:

Crete, Ill. (July 14, 2017) – America's war horse, Sgt. Reckless, and United States military veterans will be honored on Saturday, July 22, at HITS Balmoral Park, located in Crete, Ill.

Evil Horse Brewing Company, an award-winning microbrewery also located in Crete, is partnering with HITS Chicago, Equus Film Festival and NY Times best-selling author, Robin Hutton, to present a tribute to all veterans – with a special emphasis on Korean War veterans – as well as Sgt. Reckless, the famous Marine Corps horse that served in the Korean War and was awarded two Purple Hearts.

A pre-event party will be held on Friday, July 2, at 5 p.m. at Evil Horse Brewing, 1338 Main Street in Crete, which will feature a book signing by “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” author Robin Hutton, and an unveiling of original Sgt. Reckless art pieces by Chicago artist Lessie Venardo Dixon.

The official celebration will be begin at 11am on Saturday, July 22, at the newly refurbished HITS Chicago, 26435 South Dixie Highway in Crete.  The festivities will include a color guard, bagpipes, singers and a film about the life and times of Sgt. Reckless.  Equine films and information about how horses are effectively being used as therapy animals to treat military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder will also be featured.

Championship horse jumping competitions will begin at 2 p.m. for the inaugural Official Sgt. Reckless HITS Grand Prix.  During the event, Robin Hutton will be available for book signings, as will Cate Folsom, author of “Smoke the Donkey: A Marine’s Unlikely Friend” and Film Director David Glossberg of the “Operation Mustang Documentary”.

The event’s after-party will be held at 6 p.m. at Evil Horse Brewing Company and will feature live music, raffles, prizes and specials on Evil Horse Brewing’s Sgt. Reckless American pale ale and commemorative merchandise.

The event will be a fun and educational time for the entire family. For more information, visit www.evilhorsebrewing.com or call 708-304-2907.

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Background on Sgt. Reckless

During the Korean War, Reckless was bought by members of the US Marine Corps and trained to be a pack horse for the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division stationed in Korea. She quickly became part of the unit and was allowed to roam freely throughout the camp, entering the marines' tents, where she would sleep on cold nights, and was known for her willingness to eat nearly anything, including scrambled eggs, Coca-Cola, beer and, once, about $30 worth of poker chips.

She served in numerous combat actions during the Korean War, carrying supplies and ammunition, and was also used to evacuate the wounded. She was wounded in combat twice and was awarded two Purple Hearts for her actions. She was given the battlefield rank of Corporal in 1953, and then a battlefield promotion to Sergeant in 1954, several months after the war ended.  She also became the first horse in the Marine Corps known to have participated in an amphibious landing, her wartime service record was featured in The Saturday Evening Post, and LIFE magazine recognized her as one of America's 100 all-time heroes.

Sgt. Reckless with her primary trainer, Platoon Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Latham

Background on Smoke

Smoke was taken in by U.S. Marines after he showed up malnourished and wounded at Camp Taqaddum in Anbar province during the Iraq War in 2008.  He quickly became their mascot and friend, and was also utilized as a therapy animal to the U.S. Marines stationed there.