Folds of Honor Raises Money for Scholarships

(L to R) Cast Alex Mullen, Capt Anthony Richards, SSgt Candice Lacewell, 1st Lt Ashley Manzano (all 91 OSS volunteers), Dusty Wald, Lt. Col Nick Gydesen, Cape Hunter Carrithers, Capt Jacob Brown- 91 OSS Commanders, John Butz

Honorary Commanders help connect Magic City Beverage, the 91st OSS and the Minot community in support of military families.


Folds of Honor received a major fundraising boost at the North Dakota State Fair, where Budweiser and Magic City Beverage each donated $5,000 to support scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. service members.


The event was tied to Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and featured the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales’ full hitch in front of the grandstand. According to Dusty Wald, co-owner of Magic City Beverage, Budweiser requested the partnership with Folds of Honor as part of the anniversary celebration.

Check in table manned by Capt Alex Mullan, 91 OSS volunteer.


Rocky Stickmann, a former hostage during the Iran hostage crisis who Wald said was held captive for 444 days, also attended the check presentation. Stickmann gave a short presentation on behalf of Folds of Honor. Bismarck native Alece Blazek, a four-year Folds of Honor scholarship recipient, also attended and shared how the scholarship helped pay her college tuition.


Magic City Beverage also hosted a fundraising event attended by members of the Minot community, with all proceeds going directly to Folds of Honor. Lt. Col. Nick Gydesen of the 91st Operations Support Squadron estimated that 300 to 400 people attended, based on photos taken that evening.


The effort was strengthened by the Honorary Commander connection between Gydesen and Wald. Wald’s father, Pat Butz, served as honorary commander of the 91st OSS beginning in the mid-1990s. When Butz retired from Magic City Beverage, he also retired from the Honorary Commander program, and the role was passed to Wald. Gydesen, who knew the Butz family from his earlier time in Minot, later returned as commander of the 91st OSS, helping continue the long-standing relationship between Magic City Beverage and the squadron.

(L to R)- Alece Blazek, Bismarck, 4 Year Recipient of a Folds of Honor Scholarship, John Butz- Co-owner Magic City Beverage, Dusty Wald-Co owner Magic City Beverage, Lt. Col Nick Gydesen- 91 OSS Commander, Rocky Sickmann-Folds of Honor


As the Folds of Honor event was being planned, Wald reached out to Gydesen for volunteer support. Members of the 91st OSS helped greet guests, pour samples and support the evening’s activities. “I think everyone had a lot of fun,” Gydesen said.


Together, the fundraising effort highlighted how the Honorary Commander program can strengthen community partnerships while supporting military families through organizations like Folds of Honor.

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