bporterfield@pvdemocrat.com —
This one's for the good guys in the white hats as a rodeo coming to Pauls Valley will help a group of soldiers who have paid a big price for serving their country.
As a big salute to those American soldiers who have been severely injured in the line of duty a roundup is set to start at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13 at Pauls Valley's rodeo arena.
Thanks to a couple of area residents and the PV Round Up Club, this two-day event, sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association, is called the Rodeo for Wounded Warriors.
Proceeds from the rodeo will go to the national Wounded Warrior Project, which works to help soldiers who have suffered the worst of injuries.
“This is an organization that helps soldiers — mentally, financially, emotionally and physically,” said Lynn Brady.
“It helps them adapt back into society after fighting in places like Iraq or Afghanistan,” she said. “This is specifically for those soldiers since 9/11.
“These are soldiers who have lost limbs, been scarred mentally. It helps to get them doctor appointments, housing, anything they are in need of to become whole again, a whole person.”
The idea of organizing a rodeo of this kind was the brainchild of Brady and rodeo stock producer Wendell Ratchford of Wynnewood.
The reason is simple — they didn't believe enough was being done to help these wounded soldiers after they come home.
“We need to give back to the people who've looked after us,” Brady said.
“They're here to protect us, whether they serve in a place like Afghanistan or they stay and help during a hurricane here. Many of them volunteer for this, and some of them don't come home.”
The rodeo arena here was chosen as the site for the event because Brady said it’s an excellent facility that could hopefully bring in a big turnout of fans.
Brady is quick to give credit to the local round up club for allowing use of the arena.
“We chose this facility because it's one of the better facilities in Oklahoma for rodeo,” she said.
In the range of 250 contestants from around the country and even Canada are expected to ride in the event.
“We hope to get a lot of riders who are on the bubble or close to the finals,” Brady said, referring to the IPRA point standings as the current rodeo season nears an end for the year.
“There are people who represent a lot of states who are coming here to compete.”
A number of standard events, like bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, roping, bull riding and a calf scramble, will be a part of the rodeo.
Tickets, available all over the county, are $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and under.
Brady is also hoping for more rodeo sponsors, which can also be done anonymously.
“If a sponsor wants to remain anonymous and honor someone, we can do that,” she said.
“If you want to honor a fallen soldier or someone else we can do that by naming an event after them.”
For more on the rodeo call Brady at 405-207-8672.
Community News
Rodeo to salute wounded soldiers
- Community News
-
-
Looking for the top rodeo girl
The pageantry of the rodeo will soon ride into a couple of Garvin County cities.
-
Blevins earns slim council win
The difference could be counted on one hand as a Pauls Valley incumbent councilman won another term this week by the narrowest of margins.
-
Location for celebration in limbo
Pauls Valley will again get a holiday treat when this year’s July 4th celebration rolls around. The real question is where that festive gathering will actually be this summer.
-
PV precincts open for Tuesday election
A slow turnout on Friday kicked off the early voting period as a runoff election next week will decide which candidate will take a seat on Pauls Valley’s city council.
-
Team effort to help food drive
Working together to help other folks is what Pauls Valley’s postal workers and others are looking to get done with an annual food drive this Saturday.
-
Food drive offers helping hand
Pauls Valley's postal workers are again asking local residents to pitch in and offer a helping hand to those needing food during difficult times.
-
Band sounds more than just great
When members of Pauls Valley’s band starts to play during this week’s spring concert they’re looking to do more than just make it sound great.
-
Going for the rodeo crown
A couple of Garvin County round-up clubs are now looking to rope in contestants for upcoming rodeos.
-
Tunes to kick off BrickFest event
Much of the musical entertainment is lined up and ready to go for the BrickFest celebration in Pauls Valley this weekend.
-
Football stories look to be empty
Even before Bill Green was officially introduced as Pauls Valley’s new head football coach this week a number of stories began to spread, including some on the darker side.
- More Community News Headlines
-
Looking for the top rodeo girl
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
