ST. LOUIS – Bars and pubs across the St. Louis are gearing up for a big event celebrating a fallen U.S. Marine from Wentzville, Missouri.
The fourth annual Marine Lance Cpl Jared Schmitz Pub Crawl will take place at nearly three dozen locations in the north and southern parts of the metro area.
Schmitz was among the 13 troops killed during evacuations in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August of 2021.
Since then, his father, Mark, has made a point to honor Jared on his birthday, starting with his milestone 21st.
“Just to have people I’ve never met, singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ and holding up pictures of my son. It just tugs at my heartstrings,” Mark said.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Freedom 13, a not-for-profit organization Mark Schmitz set up to honor the 13 troops and all veterans.
The Freedom 13 has already set up the first of 50 veterans retreats, with plans for one in every state. The first one is located in Bourbon, Missouri.
For more information on the pub crawl and how to support The Freedom 13, click here.