Southern Pines whiskey distillery salutes those who risked lives through military service

The 2001 movie "Black Hawk Down" is based on a real-life humanitarian aid mission in Somalia from 1993 that turned tragic.

Army Veteran Brad Halling, formerly of "Fort Bragg," now "Fort Liberty," barely survived in the turmoil.

A closer look shows how he and his wife now honor those who died or risked their lives to save others through a new business in Southern Pines that bears the name "BHAWK."

"So a lot of people actually, when they see the sign, they think back to the "Black Hawk Down," Halling said.

Halling lived to tell his own story of "Black Hawk Down".

It all played out in the middle of a Somalian civil war 31 years ago.

"I was close to not coming home," he said. "Had it not been for the skill of some amazing pilots."

His chopper crashed. He lost most of his left leg. Thankfully, a crew came to his rescue.

Halling is seen with his buddies on the bottles of a special brand of bourbon whiskey.

They are embossed with "62" - the number of Halling's chopper that crashed.

Halling co-owns this whiskey business with his wife Jessica, also an Army veteran.

Now they're fighting another battle - to get their specially blended products off the ground - and into more ABC stores.

"We are, next month will be five years and we are at the starting line," said Jessica Halling. "But you know what? Our marriage is stronger. We solve problems together."

They have invested heavily in their dream - along with the support of an investment group. Quitting is not an option.

"Our experience has reflected that us and folks like us are fully, fully capable of accomplishing the American dream in a small or big way," said Halling.

The Hallings say every bottle of their products features a "feather" - to honor all those who have fallen in service to our country.