Armed Forces Rodeo Finals Bring Fun, Show Support For Train Tragedy Victims
By: Katiera Winfrey
Updated: November 25, 2012
Horseshoe Arena event organizer Tammy Dooley said, "You still get all the exciting action of rodeo, but you have the twist that all the contestants are active duty or veterans, so it makes it really special."
One of those participating was Army Reserve Toby Hall. Hall has been participating in rodeos since he was four. He is now coming up on his fifth year serving the country.
"It's military and rodeo. Before I was just a rodeo cowboy but now I can share that camaraderie with my fellow soldiers," said Hall.
The two day World Finals Rodeo put American Military cow-folk to the test. Instead of military uniforms, participants were decked out in hats, boots and spurs.
"I was like I want to go see military people as cowboys," said spectator Gayna Costello.
While the initial competition is recognized as pure fun, a somber reality had to also be recognized: The recent deaths of four military men.
"We were planning on coming anyhow, but after the accident it did make me want to come even more to show support," said Costello.
The men killed in the "Hunt for Heroes" train accident were meant to be honored at the Horseshoe the day of the accident. Horseshoe representatives were initially concerned that holding this event might be too soon. However, the armed forces members said this event needed to continue.
"PAFRA organization decided that it was important to move forward and that we needed to honor them and compete for them," said Dooley.
Hall never knew any of the four veterans that died, but he says the show must go on.
"No matter where or how, when you lose a brother in arms it's awful because you've lost a hero period," said Hall.
The Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association has vowed to donate 20 percent of all ticket sales to the families of the veterans killed.
Click here for more information on PAFRA.
Click here for previous stories on the Midland Train Tragedy.
