06/06/2026
A message from one of our owners, Will Collins:
Good morning,
As many of you may know, Capt. Hiram’s is named after my great-uncle, Hiram Collins, who tragically lost his life exactly 82 years ago today while storming Normandy Beach on D-Day. He was 25 years old.
My uncle, Skip Collins, Hiram’s closest living relative, has spent years working with the United States Army to learn more about Sergeant Hiram Collins and his service. A few years ago, the Army contacted Skip and requested a DNA sample, which helped confirm the identification of Hiram’s remains.
A formal memorial service was recently held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Nebraska. The service was conducted in honor of the “Collins Group,” named for Hiram, who was the lead officer.
This past week, the Army sent an officer to my uncle’s home in Ocean City, Maryland, to present him with the memorial American flag, a certificate of commemoration, and the medals Hiram earned during his military service. The officer spent several hours with Skip and his wife, Pam, sharing everything he could about Sergeant Hiram Collins.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the United States Army—not only for their dedication and perseverance in helping provide our family with answers after so many years, but also for the extraordinary respect, professionalism, and compassion they demonstrated throughout the entire process.
I would also like to thank all those who are currently serving or have served in the past. Those of us who have never worn the uniform can never fully repay the sacrifices you have made on behalf of this country.
Today is a reminder of the courage and selflessness of the men and women who have defended our freedoms. It is a great day to be an American.
-will
