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Belleau Wood Tavern — Where History, Brotherhood, and the Next 250 Years of the Marine Corps Meet Just outside the front gates of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, a new landmark is taking shape — one that blends history, honor, and hospitality into an unforgettable experience. The Belleau Wood Tavern isn’t just another bar or restaurant. It’s a living tribute to the United States Marine Corps, built by Marines, for Marines, and for every American who believes in service, sacrifice, and camaraderie. This isn’t a corporate chain or a themed tourist stop. It’s sacred ground reborn — a destination created to celebrate our nation’s warriors, connect generations, and remind visitors that the Marine Corps story began in a tavern — and continues in one. A Tavern With a Mission From the moment you step inside Belleau Wood Tavern, you’ll know this place is different. Every beam, every carving, every piece of décor tells a story — a story forged in the wheat fields of France in 1918, where Marines earned the name “Devil Dogs” at the Battle of Belleau Wood. At the heart of the Tavern stands a hand-crafted mahogany bar called “The Ascension.” It’s more than furniture — it’s a monument. The bar’s base is engraved with rows of wheat, representing the fields where more Marines fell on the first day of Belleau Wood than in the entire history of the Corps up to that point. Above the bar, stained-glass poppies glow softly, honoring the fallen of the Great War. Between them, carved English Bulldogs — a nod to the Marines’ fighting spirit — keep watch. As Managing Partner Zachary Green explains: “We want every drink poured here to mean something — every toast to carry weight. We raise our glasses not just to celebrate but to remember, to ensure that those who came before us never suffer that second death — being forgotten.” A Home for Marines, Veterans, and the Community Belleau Wood Tavern was designed to feel like home — whether you’re a fresh graduate from boot camp, an active-duty drill instructor blowing off steam, a retired Gunnery Sergeant revisiting old stories, or a civilian who simply wants to connect with the Marine community. The tavern will feature a shipping-container beer garden, a cigar patio where the smoking lamp is always on, and an outdoor courtyard of wheat and poppies symbolizing courage and rebirth. Visitors can sponsor personalized brick pavers, engraved with names, units, or tributes — leaving their mark for generations. The “Plank Owner Mug Club” will offer early supporters their own engraved tankard, permanently displayed behind the bar — a badge of belonging in a place that already feels like legend. But this isn’t just for Marines. It’s a space where veterans, first responders, travelers, and locals can share a meal, raise a glass, and find connection through stories that matter. Carrying a 250-Year Legacy Forward The U.S. Marine Corps was founded in a tavern in 1775. Two hundred and fifty years later, the Belleau Wood Tavern will celebrate that heritage in the place where Marines are made — just outside MCRD Parris Island. Its grand opening on November 10, 2025, will coincide with the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps — a date that marks both history and rebirth. For founders Zachary Green and Captain Roy Dakroub, this project is about legacy. As Green puts it: “Entrepreneurship is the next battlefield for veterans. We learned how to lead in the military — now it’s time to use those lessons in business, in community, and in life.” The Tavern will double as a launchpad for veteran employment and mentorship, connecting transitioning service members to opportunities through programs like DOD SkillBridge, veteran-owned supplier networks, and local partnerships across Beaufort County. The Founders: Marines Building Legacy, Not Just Walls Zachary Green, the Managing Partner, is a U.S. Marine veteran, firefighter, and international best-selling author of Warrior Entrepreneur – Lessons from the Battlefield to the Boardroom. His life reads like a blueprint for perseverance. He started a company out of the trunk of his car and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. His work earned him the President’s “E” Award for Exporting, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year, and invitations to testify before the U.S. House Small Business Committee. Zach’s business success is rooted in the same leadership lessons he learned in the Corps: discipline, accountability, and never backing down from a challenge. His co-founder, Captain Roy Dakroub, represents the next generation of Marine leaders. Currently serving on active duty at Parris Island, Roy brings a modern perspective — one grounded in mentorship, leadership, and firsthand experience training the Marines of tomorrow. Together, these two Marines — one seasoned veteran, one active-duty officer — bridge past and present. Their partnership ensures that Belleau Wood Tavern remains anchored in authenticity and purpose. Built by Marines. Supported by Everyone. Belleau Wood Tavern is being built by the community, for the community, with support from patriots across the country through a Kickstarter campaign launching November 10, 2025. Supporters can sponsor everything from engraved tables and stools to naming rights for pergolas and personalized patio bricks. Every contribution directly funds construction, décor, and veteran employment — ensuring that this is not just a business, but a movement. Those who join early become part of history — Plank Owners who will always have a seat at the table and a story tied to this sacred place. Designed for Storytelling and Connection Every square foot of Belleau Wood Tavern has been designed to tell a story and spark a conversation: The Wheat and Poppy Courtyard: Honors Marines who fell at Belleau Wood and represents sacrifice and rebirth. The Ascension Bar: A monument to courage, hand-carved from mahogany, adorned with wheat, poppies, and bulldogs. Historic Exhibits: Authentic WWI artifacts, maps, and interpretive displays from Zach Green’s private collection. Interactive Technology: Digital kiosks and the BWT mobile app will allow visitors to explore history, find their unit’s tribute, and share their stories. The Cigar Patio: A reflection zone where stories, cigars, and silence share equal respect — because some memories can’t be told in words. A Destination for Marines, Families, and Patriots from Around the World Each year, over 100,000 family members and friends travel to Parris Island to celebrate the graduation of a new United States Marine — a moment of pride that few experiences in life can match. The Belleau Wood Tavern will be that gathering place — the first stop after graduation and the last toast before deployment. Every year, 20,000 new Marines earn their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor and step into history. Add to that the 17,000 active-duty Marines and Sailors stationed in the Lowcountry, and the more than 4 million visitors who explore Beaufort County annually, and you have an unmatched crossroads of patriotism, tourism, and community. Belleau Wood Tavern will serve as the emotional and cultural heart of that community — a place where Marines and civilians come together to share stories, raise a glass, and feel the unbreakable bond of service and gratitude. Whether it’s a recruit’s proud family, a veteran reflecting on years past, or a traveler exploring Beaufort’s rich history, BWT will be the gathering place where history, hospitality, and heritage meet. Honoring the Spirit of Belleau Wood The Battle of Belleau Wood marked America’s emergence as a global force. In 1918, U.S. Marines stood against entrenched German forces in the forests of France, refusing to retreat even under withering fire. It was there that Marines earned the nickname “Teufel Hunden” — Devil Dogs — for their ferocity and courage. That same spirit of defiance, grit, and determination lives in every design element at the Tavern. The BWT logo draws inspiration from the Iron Mike statue at MCRD Parris Island — a Marine standing atop a shattered tree stump, a captured German Maxim machine gun slung over his shoulder, his Colt 1911 pistol cocked and ready. It’s an image that embodies a single, unshakable mindset: “Yeah, I took their gun. What else you got?” That attitude — bold, unyielding, and unapologetically Marine — defines everything about the Belleau Wood Tavern experience. Built on Values. Fueled by Purpose. The founders of BWT call their philosophy “Legacy over Liquor.” Sure, you’ll find great drinks, top-notch food, and a lively atmosphere — but the real mission is connection. The Tavern will serve as a hub for veteran entrepreneurship, Marine reunions, leadership development events, and historical education. It’s not just a bar — it’s a platform to teach leadership, teamwork, and resilience through stories that shaped history. Through partnerships with SkillBridge, veteran non-profits, and local civic organizations, BWT will provide job training, networking, and mentorship opportunities for those transitioning from military to civilian life. The Tavern’s mission extends beyond the walls — hosting fundraisers, educational events, and ceremonies that remind all who visit that freedom was earned by those willing to fight for it. Why It Matters The Marine Corps’ story began in a tavern — Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, 1775. The Belleau Wood Tavern ensures that story continues into the next 250 years. This project isn’t just about building a bar; it’s about building legacy — a place where courage, sacrifice, and service are remembered and celebrated. It’s a bridge between generations of Marines and civilians who share the same values of honor, courage, and commitment. As Zachary Green says: “We’re not just building a bar. We’re building the next 250 years of the Corps.” So whether you’re raising a glass to a newly minted Marine, reconnecting with your brothers and sisters in arms, or simply wanting to be part of something larger than yourself — the Belleau Wood Tavern is waiting for you. Learn more and join the mission: Kickstarter: Belleau Wood Tavern – The USMC’s Next 250 Years Starts Here Email: info@bwoodtavern.com Location: Outside the gates of MCRD Parris Island, Port Royal, South Carolina Veteran-Owned | Community-Funded | Mission-Driven