Hero For Humanity at ROCK Ride Center
It hardly seems possible that it was just six months ago that Texas artist McKenzie Lima won the commission to paint Hero For Humanity. A gift of AHA Region 9 to the 3D Cavalry Association at Ft. Hood, since that time, Hero has been very busy, starting off by finding his permanent home at the ROCK therapeutic riding center in Georgetown,Texas. With an established Veterans therapy program, ROCK is the perfect home base for Hero, who was originally created by Region 9 to bring awareness to equine assisted therapy for veterans.
July 9th, ROCK Founder and CEO, Dr. Nancy Krenek, and Communications Director Kathy White, traveled to Ft. Hood where SGM Reed handed transferred Hero’s reins to his new owners.
While he is officially “at home” at the ROCK facility, Hero spends some time traveling and wherever he goes, he’s fulfilling his original mission—raising awareness of the value of Equine Assisted Therapy for Veterans. In late September, Hero made his public debut at ROCK’s Rider Cup Classic Golf Tournament at Cowan Creek Golf Course, where he greeted golfers and sponsors who all had a great time taking photos with him. November 5th, Hero was in residence at ROCK’s Open House while Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry gave a special performance and participants from ROCK’s program provided demonstrations.
However, it was the week of November 5-12th that is possibly Hero’s biggest event yet as he was invited to be part of the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s third annual “Field of Honor”—a dramatic display of over 1500 full-size American flags. Hero was part of this event for the entire week and we couldn’t be more proud! Says White, “It was a great event and he was seen by thousands of people who visited the Field of Honor. Hero resided under a smaller tent during their opening ceremonies and was moved under their large tent after that.
Hero at ROCK's Patti Colbert Learning Center
Many thanks to the members of Region 9, the 3D Cavalry Association and ROCK for creating such a great icon and for including Hero For Humanity in such amazing events! He’s doing exactly what we always hoped he would and we look forward to seeing where he goes next!
