American Valor
Republican Red Winery and the American Veterans Center share one mission: sharing the stories of American greatness. Those who sacrificed for our country must never be forgotten. Their stories are our inheritance, and it’s up to us to keep them alive.
That mission brought us to a remarkable group of men: some of the last surviving American veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima. To honor them, we created a limited-edition Cabernet Sauvignon magnum dedicated to their courage. Below, you can meet the heroes behind the label and hear their stories in their own words.
Thirty-Six Days on Iwo Jima
On February 19, 1945, U.S. Marines stormed the beaches of a small volcanic island 750 miles south of Tokyo. Iwo Jima was barely eight square miles of black sand and rock, but its airfields made it vital to the war in the Pacific. Commanders expected the fight to last a few days. It lasted 36.
More than 6,800 Americans gave their lives there, and roughly 20,000 more were wounded. The courage shown on that island was so extraordinary that 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions during the battle. Admiral Chester Nimitz summed it up in words that still echo today: among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.
The image of six men raising the flag atop Mount Suribachi became one of the most famous photographs in history. Behind that image were tens of thousands of young men, most of them still teenagers or barely into their twenties, who did their duty and came home to build the country we know today.
Meet the Heroes Behind the Label
Eighty years later, only a small number of Iwo Jima veterans are still with us. Each one carries memories that no history book can fully capture. Watch as these men share their stories in their own words.
Their humility is as striking as their bravery. Again and again, they insist the real heroes are the ones who never came home. We believe they are all heroes, and we are honored to tell their stories.
A Magnum Worthy of Their Sacrifice
We dedicated a limited-edition Cabernet Sauvignon magnum to honor those who fought and fell on Iwo Jima. It’s a bottle meant to be shared, opened at family gatherings, on Veterans Day, or whenever you want to raise a glass to the men who secured our freedom.
Every magnum is a reminder that these stories belong to all of us. When you pour a glass, we hope you’ll pass along a story, too, so the next generation knows what was done on their behalf.
Keep Their Stories Alive
The generation that fought on Iwo Jima is leaving us, but their legacy doesn’t have to. Watch the video, share it with someone you love, and take a moment to thank a veteran in your life.
Hear more of their stories at the American Veterans Center.
