San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Salute Our Nation's Military Forces

Yesterday evening, the San Angelo Rodeo dedicated its performances to our military forces and celebrated Goodfellow Air Force Base’s 75^th anniversary. Boyd Polhamus started off the night by riding into the area on horseback. As Boyd slowly walked into the area, he began talking about 9-11. Boyd said, “Do you remember that? We all said we will never forget. When the Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, we said that we would never forget. But you know folks, we do forget.”

Boyd went on to say that, even to this day, the people of America do forget about the tragedies that occurred and the sacrifices made during Pearl Harbor and 9-11. Also, people have forgotten that the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo was born during the Great Depression. Boyd said 84 years ago, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo was created to “bring the community together, and to pick up our spirits and make us all one family.”

At the end of Boyd’s speech, he told the audience that the San Angelo Rodeo would not be there today if it was not for the greatest generation winning World War II. As the speech ended, Boyd said, “When you think back of the memories that these guys and gals have for serving our nation, some of those pictures on their wall are black and white, but they will never forget the memories are always in color.”

To end the opening speech, Jamey Johnson’s song ‘In Color’ began to play. As the song played, black and white pictures flashed onto the giant screen for the entire arena to see.

When the song ended, Master Sgt. Tom Davis, a 76-year-old San Angelo veteran, stood in the middle of the dirt-filled arena. The arena was pitch black with only blue spot lights pointed on Davis. Boyd told the audience about Davis’ years spent on deployments. Master Sgt. Davis served our nation for 30 years, serving in the Army and Air Force. He was deployed to Vietnam, Korea, and Germany.

With that, the crowd arose to their feet to give praise and salute the man's bravery. People clapped in thanks of Davis for everything he has done for this nation.

As the audience applauded, a young boy by the name of Bryce Car walked towards Davis with a folded American flag. The flag he carried symbolized the freedom Davis helped give this nation.

Following Master Sgt. Davis, four soldiers with the Goodfellow Air Force Base Honor Guard marched into the area to present the flags.

Singing the National Anthem was a choir from the Goodfellow Air Force Base called “Patriotic Blue.” As the choir sang, people in the audience held their right hand over their heart and sang along.

As a last tribute to our nation’s military forces, the San Angelo Ambassadors rode in flying six flags for our military forces and a giant American flag leading them all. As “I’m Proud to be an American” played, the ambassadors made labs around the arena, with the flags rippling in the air. Each ambassador wore an American flag shirt to represent their pride for freedom in their nation.

Overall, Wednesday night was a very heartfelt and moving performance for our military forces. Being at the rodeo last night was a way to support the nation’s military forces as well as celebrate the freedom that so many soldiers have given to the U.S.