Editor’s Note: American Free News Network is partnering with Deployment Brands and Political Pundit David Webb to promote this event in support of Veterans and First Responders. Neither AFNN nor its personnel receive remuneration for these efforts. This partnership is one of many that fall under our Fellow Travelers Program (see right panel on our home page) where we associate with and assist people and organizations that share our value set.
Ed.
Merced, CA – Matthew Brunnemann, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, author, and compelling orator, delivered a stirring speech at the recent Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans BBQ hosted by the MCCV Semper Fi organization. His powerful words which you can watch here, honored the sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans and their families, cementing his reputation as a resonant voice for the military community. Brunnemann has been announced as the guest speaker for the upcoming Memorial Day 2025 Virtual Deployment: American Bourbon & Cigar Tasting Benefiting Chaplain Corps Cigar Therapy, hosted by DeploymentBrands,com . Concurrent with this event, Brunnemann will release his new book, War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province, making this a landmark occasion for veterans and supporters alike.
A Speech That Honored the Past and Inspired the Present
At the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans BBQ, Brunnemann took the stage with a speech co-written, as he humorously noted, with his two-week-old son, his “tiny squad leader.” His address blended personal reflection with historical reverence, drawing from a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial and Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls to underscore the unity and shared sacrifice of those who serve.
Brunnemann spoke directly to the Vietnam Veterans, acknowledging the “raw deal” they faced upon returning home, from societal contempt to inadequate support from the government and VA. “We need to say ‘Welcome Home’ because you all received a raw deal,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing need to honor these warriors 50 years after the war’s end. He also highlighted how their struggles paved the way for better support systems for veterans of the Global War on Terror, like himself.
The speech culminated in a heartfelt call for the veterans to stand, as Brunnemann extended a “Welcome Home” on behalf of the MCCV Semper Fi organization, the Honor Guard, event sponsors, and his generation of veterans. A moment of silence for the 58,281 souls inscribed on the Vietnam War Memorial brought many to tears, a testament to the emotional weight of his words.
A Legacy of Service and Storytelling
Brunnemann’s military lineage spans back to World War I, with family members serving in every major conflict since. As a Marine Corps veteran who served as an Intelligence Specialist in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province from 2010 to 2012, he spent over 500 days in combat zones. After retiring in 2013, Brunnemann authored War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province, a raw and unfiltered memoir capturing the bravery, sacrifice, and brotherhood of the Marines. The book, set for release during the Memorial Day 2025 event, offers a candid look at the realities of war and the profound privilege of witnessing America’s warriors in action—a debt Brunnemann feels he can never repay. Each tasting kit purchased for the event includes a copy of this powerful work.
A devout Catholic and proud Knight of Columbus, Brunnemann draws strength from his faith and family. As a husband and father, he lives by values of service, community, and fraternity. Private by nature, he shares his story not for recognition but to honor those who served alongside him. In his own words: “A man needs nothing more than a relationship with God, the love of a good woman, the gift of fatherhood, routine exercise, and a mission. Everything else is extra—except cigars, which are not optional.”
Memorial Day 2025: A Virtual Deployment to Honor Heroes
DeploymentBrands is thrilled to host the Memorial Day 2025 Virtual Deployment: Bourbon & Cigar Tasting Benefiting Chaplain Corps Cigar Therapy on Thursday, May 22, from 7:00–9:00 PM EDT via Zoom. This 13th Virtual Deployment, led by SiriusXM’s David Webb, Deployment Cigars’ Chuck, and special guest Matthew Brunnemann, will support military chaplains who use cigar therapy in their ministries. The virtual experience includes a tasting kit shipped to your location, featuring:
- 1 tasting glass
- 1 Honor Cigar (Dominican Republic Robusto)
- 1 Deployment Freedom Cigar (Nicaraguan Rothchild)
- 1 Deployment Chaplain Corps Cigar (Nicaraguan Toro) to gift to a veteran
- 4 one-ounce tastings of American bourbons: 1792 Small Batch, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year, Hooten Young American Whiskey 12 Year, Augusta Buckners 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
- A sweet treat
- A tasting chart and description notes
- A copy of War Business: The Hired Guns of Helmand Province
Brunnemann’s recent speech at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans BBQ, available here, showcased his ability to inspire and unite, making him the ideal speaker for this meaningful tribute. His words, paired with the release of his new book, will set the tone for an evening of camaraderie, reflection, and celebration.
Join Us in Honoring Our Heroes
The Memorial Day 2025 Virtual Deployment is a chance to come together to remember those who gave their lives for our nation. With Matthew Brunnemann as the guest speaker and the release of War Business, attendees can expect a moving experience that honors the past while supporting the future of veterans’ care through Chaplain Corps Cigar Therapy.
For more information, visit DeploymentBrands.com Memorial Day 2025 Virtual Deployment: American Bourbon & Cigar Tasting – DeploymentBrands To learn about MCCV Semper Fi’s efforts, check their Facebook page. Stay tuned to American Free News Network for updates on this event and stories celebrating America’s veterans.
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