Veterans Day VIP Dinner Remarks

Muhtar Kent, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Atlanta, Georgia
November 10, 2008

Thank you, Sandy (Douglas), and good evening, everyone. What a great honor -- and indeed privilege -- it is for me to be here tonight with all of our distinguished Veterans and guests.

As we celebrate this wonderful and important evening, I would also like to pay tribute to the seven associates of The Coca-Cola Company who are currently on active duty status in the United States armed forces. And they are... Matthew Belville, from Coca-Cola North America Supply Chain... Lionell Brown, from Corporate Security Operations... Michael Brown, from Coca-Cola North America Supply Chain... Jimmy Middleton, from Coca-Cola North America Supply Chain... Ed Palican, from Coca-Cola North America Supply Chain... Ronnie Dean Porter, from Coca-Cola North America Supply Chain... and Mary Rosenbaum, from Corporate Security Operations.

Our thoughts, prayers and deepest appreciation go out to each and every one of these courageous young men and woman. May they keep out of harm's way and return home to their families safe and soon.

My personal gratitude also goes out to each of our Veterans here tonight and the more than 900 Veterans across our great company. I have a great appreciation for the sacrifice, courage, honor and respect exhibited by our Veterans and their extraordinary families.

And having grown up professionally in the Coca-Cola system, I also know that I wouldn't be here tonight speaking to you as the president and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company without the contribution of the U.S. armed forces and our veterans who helped build this incredible enterprise into the world's leading consumer products system. We share a strong bond and a rich legacy that we will never be broken or forgotten.

Over the years, much has been written about the close relationship that existed between Mr. Woodruff and General Eisenhower and the rapid expansion of Coca-Cola around the world during and after World War II. Mr. Woodruff's vision of providing a Coke for a nickel to every U.S. soldier -- no matter where they were stationed -- led to the development of 64 bottling plants behind the front lines in Europe and throughout Asia.

Those soldiers took that brand loyalty back home with them after the War, while our bottling plants served as growth catalysts for our business oversees. That wonderful tradition of providing our soldiers with a taste of home continues to this day as Coca-Cola and the other great brands of The Coca-Cola Company are staples in commissaries, officer's clubs and canteens on military bases around the world.

Equally enduring today are the rich relationships that exist between our service men and women, their families and our Coca-Cola brands. In preparing for tonight, I found two pieces of war-time correspondence that I would like to share with you. Each speaks to this special relationship.

The first comes from a soldier stationed in Italy in 1944 who's writing home to his brother. The soldier writes, "Today is a special day. We all received in the stock supplies a bottle of Coca-Cola. This might not seem too important, but if you could have seen all of these sailors -- who have been sailing for more than 20 months -- hold their bottle close to their chest, running toward the stock supply store -- and just looking at it. They didn't know what to do. Nobody has yet touched their Coca-Cola, because after they have it, it will be all gone. Everything will have passed."

The second piece of correspondence comes from 2005. It's from an internet blog established by families of soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. It's a note from one mom to another who is looking for birthday celebration ideas for her son on the front lines. The advice-giving mother writes, "I sent out a birthday box for my son's 21st birthday in May. It consisted of a frozen cake, frosting, candles, a birthday banner, balloons, plates and yes, Coca-Cola -- all wrapped in zip lock bags. It may seem kind of silly, but if it makes them smile, even for just a bit, it is well worth it. Hope this helps -- Arlene."

In both of these cases, and countless like them, what we're really talking about are simple moments of pleasure... humanity... love and connection.

It is a privilege to work for an organization that provides these kinds of experiences... and it's an honor to support all of our courageous Veterans who have played such a noble role of defending our freedom and democracy over the years. Tonight I salute you all... and thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you, everyone, and please enjoy the rest of the evening!

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