Oklahoma veteran honored on Evan Williams ‘American Hero’ bourbon bottle

A former Army sergeant from Oklahoma is being recognized in a national campaign celebrating veterans who continue to serve their communities after leaving the military.

Erica Walker, a veteran from Alex, Okla., is one of six honorees featured on Evan Williams Bourbon’s 2025 “American-Made Heroes” bottles. The annual program celebrates veterans across the country and donates to the organizations they lead.

Honoring Heroism Beyond the Battlefield

Walker’s military career began with a bold decision. Turning down a full college scholarship, she enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and became one of the first women assigned to a combat-related military occupational specialty. She operated PATRIOT missile systems in Germany as a Private First Class in the Air Defense Artillery.

After transitioning to the Army Reserves and reactivating post-9/11, Walker led as a Human Resources Specialist, overseeing 289 soldiers.

“What I’m most proud of,” Walker said, “is that I made sure everybody came back healthy, had their paperwork done… It’s where I developed the passion for caring for soldiers.”

Championing Veteran Mental Health

After completing her military service, Walker continued to support her fellow veterans by joining the Warriors for Freedom Foundation. Under her leadership as executive director, the Oklahoma-based nonprofit expanded significantly, growing from serving 160 veterans in 2021 to more than 2,700 by 2024.

The organization focuses on mental health and wellness, offering support services, events, and healing programs for veterans and their families.

“When I first took the job, I said, ‘Family’s everything,’” Walker explained. “It was the most incredible evolution of how important family was in these warriors’ missions.”

A Legacy of Impact and Inspiration

This year, Evan Williams Bourbon is highlighting Walker’s story on its American Hero Edition bottles. The company is also donating to the Warriors for Freedom Foundation as part of the campaign.

Now, Walker is dedicating her time to a new mission—Warrior SCUBA. Inspired by its therapeutic benefits for her husband and others, she is helping veterans find healing underwater.

“Warrior SCUBA saved my husband and is now giving me an incredible platform to support other veterans in a meaningful way for years to come,” she said.

A Toast to Service and Strength

The 2025 Evan Williams American-Made Heroes were selected for their leadership and impact after military service. Since the program launched in 2015, the brand has honored more than 60 veterans and donated $675,000 to nonprofits supporting the veteran community.

This year’s limited-edition bottles—available in both Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch and Kentucky Straight Bourbon—feature hang tags and labels spotlighting each veteran and their affiliated nonprofit.

The American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund, launched in 2020, continues to support these causes through specialized grants.

To learn more about the honorees and the foundation, visit american-madeheroes.com.

You can learn more about Warriors for Freedom Foundation at warriorsforfreedom.org.