Honoring a Hero: Our Veterans Day Giveaway Winner

by Justin Christianson November 10, 2022 1 min read

Cheese Brothers founders giving a gift box to a veteran.

We had the honor and privilege this week to meet Joe McCarthy, a 101-year-old WW2 veteran from Burlington, Mass. and winner of our annual Veteran's Day giveaway of a year's supply of cheese.

Joe has seen things that for us exist only in history books. As a young boy he saw Babe Ruth hit a ground rule double at Fenway Park. While serving on the front lines under General George S. Patton, he remembers exchanging a salute with the hard-driving commander as he and his brothers in arms drove deep into Nazi territory at the end of the war.

When we read Joe's story, submitted to us by his loving granddaughter Angela, we knew we had to take the trip to meet him personally. As we met with Joe, his family, and his friends from the community, it became clear what an immense legacy of kindness and gratitude he has built in his long life.

When we asked Joe how it felt to live through and see so much, he humbly told us "it was 100 years, but in another 100 years it'll all be forgotten." He's wrong. Legacies like his live on forever.

In addition to the year's supply of cheese, we will be donating 15% of all sales this Veteran's Day in Joe's name to the Disabled & Limbless Veterans, a Burlington-based non-profit providing meals, clothing, and shelter to local veterans. You can donate directly to the foundation at www.dlvets.org.

Watch our tribute video for Joe below:

Justin Christianson

9 Responses

Sally Parker

December 21, 2022

What an honor to get to know a veteran that has lived through so much history. I hope his family has documented his history so that it can be carried on to the generations to come. Thank you Sir for your very brave service.

Beverly Putzke

December 21, 2022

Beautiful video…I could not hold back the tears when I watched it….Wow !! A years supply of cheese… that is a delicious gift plus the donation to our Vets for their service 🙏🇺🇸🙏

Gary Daub

December 21, 2022

Thanks

Yvonne Lewelling

December 21, 2022

Congratulations Sir!! Thank you for serving this great country!

Karen Rudell

December 21, 2022

Happy Veterans day

Hyacinth Adegoke

December 21, 2022

What an incredible and heartwarming story! I loved watching this clip! Hearing his granddaughter talk about how he not only served his country but how he faithfully served his wife in her time of need. You sir have my utmost respect and regard. Thank you Cheese Brothers for reaching out to the community and making a difference. Thank you to this veteran and all veterans for their sacrifices, for there valor, for protecting and defending us, for their courage and their strength. We salute and honor you! I am reminded of a quote by John Kennedy. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”. Thank you for showing the best part of humanity! Our ability to love and to serve! God bless you all!

Renee

December 21, 2022

I like Cheese Brothers cheese but even more I love our veterans! And there aren’t many from WWII still around! When they are gone it will be the end of an era. If you sit and listen you will get an amazing history lesson. God bless our all our veterans!

MW

December 21, 2022

My Dad served in WWII, Korea, and 2 tours of duty in Vietnam. Thank you for honoring Joe and all of our Veterans who protected our freedoms! We owe them so much.

Dorothy Wilhelm

December 21, 2022

So good, on so many levels. Thank you, Joe McCarthy, for your service to your country and your family, especially. Thank you, Cheese Brothers, for doing this.

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