by Kim Redo
The weeklong American Hero Celebration, held on Novem-
ber 6–10, 2024, at the NRS Training Center in Decatur, Texas, was headed by professional team roper Charly Crawford. It drew more volunteers, more participants, and more sponsors than ever before, according to Bill Force, chairman of the board of directors of the Liberty and Loyalty Foundation, which sponsored the celebration.
“In 2023, we had 160 people attend the Saturday night gala event. This year, we sold over 600 tickets, with 320 attendees at the Decatur Conference Center. As the foundation continues to gain momentum, interest spikes,” he said.
More than 25 states were represented in 2024, with clinic participants coming from all areas of the country. In 2023, 250 teams roped in the military and first-responder competition, compared with 388 in 2024. It also was the fifth year that the National Finals Rodeo qualifier roping was held on the final day of the event. Fourteen of the 15 qualifying teams attended the competition, which was held at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth.
“Success is measured in two ways,” said Force. “This time, we raised around $120,000, which was donated to Brotherhood for the Fallen (law enforcement), the National Fallen Firefighters Association, Homes for Heroes, and Charlie Five (support for veterans and first responders through horses and horsemanship). The impact is harder to measure. The effect of first-responder and military families is immeasurable.”
Army veteran Mike May of Texas summed up much of what everyone had to say.
“I really enjoyed the event. Meeting everyone there and enjoying the camaraderie and fellowship we felt in the military were special. It’s an enjoyable event to go to … win or lose.”
Editor’s note: For more informa-
tion about the Liberty and Loyalty Foundation, see Kim Redo’s article in the November-December 2024 issue of Oklahoma Horses.
