Do you remember where you were when 9/11 happened? Many of us can remember the moment vividly and we might remember the conversations that were taking place, where we were driving or perhaps the people we were talking to at work. It was an event that completely shook the world and when the anniversary rolls around, it is still full of emotion and sadness. At the very least, it gives us reason to ponder over what took place on that fateful day.
There is one ad that really touched our hearts and it was only aired a single time. It was a Budweiser advertisement that featured the Clydesdale horses and they honored those who had passed away on 9/11, 2001. Those horses are seen pulling the wagon through an open field as they head toward Manhattan. The beauty of the surrounding countryside as it is covered in snow is quite touching and there are people who are watching them pass by.
Suddenly, they are near the city and traveling over the Brooklyn Bridge. They stop and look at the skyline of NYC in the distance. The video then focuses on one of the faces of the Clydesdale and as it pulled back, you see the Statue of Liberty off in the distance. The music that is playing in the background is enough to give you goosebumps and then the Clydesdales bowed down before the commercial fades to black.
Although this is a commercial that most people remember, it was only on the air one time. It played during Super Bowl XXXVI back in February 2002. Online, however, there has been a lot of talk about this and the possibility of its reappearing. In order to make this be a reality, the Anheuser-Busch company had to get approval from the mayor of New York, the advertising community and even from members of Congress!
Most people are unaware of exactly what went into making this commercial. According to former vice executive president of Anheuser-Busch global creative, Bob Lachky: “e filmed in New York City. We had a helicopter going over the Brooklyn Bridge. Mayor Giuliani let us into the city — the only film company of any sort right after 9-11. To actually come into air space with our helicopter to film the Clydesdales…the hitch coming into Battery Park and it was amazing…just amazing.”
On the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, an updated version was aired.
Many people have a lot to say about the first commercial:
“They really should air this EVERY 9/11 without editing a single thing!,” “Still brings tears to my eyes,” and “We must NEVER forget! How touching. I’m sitting here crying at my desk right now.”
Others talked about their experiences or their memories:
“I still can’t get past it. I lost so many friends that terrible day. It stays with me like a sickness…each year come August, it starts to creep into my consciousness…and doesn’t leave until a week after the day. Thank you Budweiser for this moving tribute… Please everyone, take a moment, remember those lost, and those fallen from the FDNY/NYPD who so bravely faced certain death, to try and save others.”
Someone else discussed being there while it was being filmed:
“I was there when the final scenes were filmed. Not a dry eye in the bunch of us. Some of us, whom lost friends and/or loved ones were so blown away by the tribute that one gent began having difficulty breathing. He was better after a little O2 and later a Bud light.”
You can watch the entire original commercial in this video:
