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Brothers launch mission to help veterans through Mesa cider business

Posted at 4:38 AM, Aug 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-19 08:22:26-04

Jason Duren has been through more than most of us can fathom. While serving as a Marine Sergeant in Afghanistan, he hit two IEDs, suffering two traumatic brain injuries in five days.

"When I came back life was obviously a little bit different," he said. 

Duren was medically discharged. Through his intensive speech and cognitive processing treatment, he found a hobby making hard apple cider -- something he first tried overseas. With his goal of becoming a firefighter no longer a reality, he and his brother, Josh Duren, found a new one. 

"To be able to just do something together has been huge for both of us," Josh said. 

On Veterans Day weekend, the pair will open Cider Corps cidery and taproom in downtown Mesa, serving flavors ranging from prickly pear and pineapple to cold-brew coffee infused. 

But beyond their beverage is a bigger mission, "being a light in the veteran community and being able to show other disabled veterans that you can do it," Jason told ABC15. 

The cidery will hold "Honor Night" events to benefit veterans in need. As the business grows, they hope to hire veterans and make the space a safe place to gather. 

The brothers launched a crowd-funding campaign where supporters can purchase a tile, engraved with your name or the name of a veteran you want to honor, in the taproom. 

For more information, click here. The campaign ends Friday, August 25th.