8th Annual Freedom Whiskey Veteran's Day Celebration

🎖️ 8th Annual Freedom Whiskey Veterans Day Event 🎖️Honoring, Supporting, and Raising Funds for Veterans, Their Families & Mental Health Services

📅 When: Saturday, November 1st, 2025📍 Where: Miamisburg Moose Lodge🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

🎶 Live Music by: Three Road Junction🍽️ Dinner Catered by: Heather’s Café🍰 Desserts Provided by: Five Loaves Bakery

Join us for an evening of gratitude, giving, and community as we come together to support those who’ve served.

Honoree (Veteran of the Year): Fred “Rico” Rojas

After serving more than 25 years in the USAF, Fred retired in 2011 and settled in Centerville with his family. Since that time, Fred has selflessly dedicated his time to serving our local veteran community.  It’s hard to find a notable effort or activity where Fred isn’t quietly working hard behind the scenes while publicly praising others.  He never waits to be asked, and always shows up to help in any way necessary. 

In addition to working a full time civilian job at WPAFB, Fred is is past Commander of Centerville VFW Post 9550, volunteers with Honor flight, hosts a monthly veteran’s breakfast, speaks at the Veterans Recognition ceremony at Centerville High School (where Veterans are invited to come in and talk with high school students and answer questions), delivers and installs flags for the Noon Optimist Avenue of Flags, and has become an integral member of the of the Freedom Whiskey annual Veteran’s Day Event team.

In a community of amazing people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the greater good, Fred easily stands out as a person you can always count on. You never hear him say “I” because he is always lifting those around him. He genuinely cares about every veteran, no matter the service, no matter the rank.

He goes out of his way to make sure newly retired veterans know that they have a place in the world and they don’t need to feel lost outside of the uniform. He strives to make sure every veteran has a voice.

Benefiting Charities:

Operation Cherrybend: a nonprofit organization located in Wilmington, Ohio whose mission is to honor and support wounded and combat veterans through outdoor therapeutic experiences—primarily hunting, fishing, and music events. Their goal is to create healing environments where veterans can build camaraderie, reduce isolation, and find renewed purpose and connection after service. Zach used to go there with fellow veterans and it was a special place to him where he felt connection and support.

The Mathile Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Dayton Children’s: is dedicated to providing comprehensive mental and behavioral health services for children and adolescents. The center offers early intervention, therapy, and support in a welcoming, stigma-free environment—helping young people and their families navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicidal ideation.

As a veteran-founded company with a mission focused on supporting veterans, first responders, their families, and mental health, it’s deeply aligned with our values to support this center. Many of the struggles faced by our community—especially around intergenerational trauma, PTSD, and suicide prevention—begin in childhood or impact the children of those who serve.

Supporting the Mathile Center is a way for us to not only stand behind early mental health intervention, but also to honor the families behind the uniform, helping break cycles and lower the suicide rate through compassionate, professional care at the root.

Host or Publisher The Dayton Foundation