All About Our Saving America’s Mustangs 2011 Rose Parade Participants
This was the best New Year’s ever! We have been receiving email after email and comments about our foundation’s efforts to save the mustangs. We have had so many kind words of support in just two days after the parade. This was a huge success for the wild ones!
We decided to sponsor a float and an equestrian unit with our own mustangs to show Americans that they have a say whether or not their horses should be gathered off the land. It’s time to take action and give the mustangs a voice!
I would like to take a moment to introduce some of the groups and individuals we had participating with us so you all will know why we carefully chose each and every one of them to join us.
We were so honored to have our float flanked by our armed services. We had several men from the Army and Old Guard, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines. This was a real treat to see them being welcomed the way they deserve to be, as heroes, by the 750,000 people lining the parade route. Thanks to all of them for joining us and for protecting our freedom every single day!
I’d also like to introduce some very special wounded veterans. These men & women have gone above and beyond the call of duty for their country!
Clayton Rankin-
Sergeant Clayton Rankin in the US Army was injured while attempting to load a grenade launcher while under fire near an Iranian terrorist encampment. Rankin fell head first onto a rock, injuring his spine.
He has received the following medals: Bronze Star for Valor for his quick reactions in neutralizing a terrorist threat in Kuwait. He also received the Medal of Valor from the city of North Glenn for protecting civilians from an attacker.
Clay Rankin is now a part of Patriot Paws, a group that gives wounded soldiers a service canine companion. His dog Harley is now his right hand man.
Also in 2010, he was one of 16 wounded veterans that completed a 4,000-mile bike ride across America in the Sea of Shining Stars event hosted by World Team Sports (an organization that hosts athletic events for disabled Americans)
Thank you, Clay, for all you have done for our country.
Brian Field-
Brian is also with Patriot Paws. Brian served as an Army Ranger for 17 years before retiring in 2009.
After being deployed to Iraq in 2006, Brian suffered the loss of both of his legs below the knee after stepping on a homemade explosive.
This explosion, which also caused him to lose almost all of his hearing and comprised his arms, has required him to undergo numerous surgeries over the years.
Today, Brian and his dog, Justice, attend Texas Lutheran University and enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. His dog has dramatically improved his life and we are so proud to have had Brian Field with us!
Aaron Sears-
Aaron joined the Army in 1989 and was assigned to the 7th infantry Division, 4/21 Infantry, and also the Bravo Team Leader of the 3rd Platoon, second Squad.
When Aaron was 19, during a training exercise, he endured 4 herniated discs. After that, his spine was never the same, but he continued serving in the US Army.
He was warned that without surgery, he might become paralyzed and on February 7th, 2007, even though he went forward with the surgery, unfortunately, that fate became a reality for him.
He retired as an Army Major in August of 2010 and then went onto earn his Bachelor’s in Nursing at the University of Missouri and currently works at Barnes Hospital as the Battalion Commander for the gateway battalion at WASU.
In May of 2009, he received his service dog, Lane; from Patriot Paws, which he said, has been a blessing in his life. Thank you, Aaron, for your dedicated career in the Army and service to our country.
Bonnie Hoard-
Bonnie is a special woman who proudly served in the US Navy for the past 21 years! After retiring as Chief Warrant Officer in 2008, she joined with Patriot Paws to give back to other disabled veterans like herself. She volunteers full-time for patriot Paws in Rockwall, Texas.
Her love for animals led her to become a trainer for Patriot Paws in 2010. She trains the service dogs, visits veterans who are about to receive their dogs, and also incorporates prison inmates who help train the dogs. She also has her own service dog, Jazz.
Bonnie, you’re a great friend of the animals and a great American.
Also, we would like to thank the support staff from Patriot Paws who came along for being great advocates of our four legged creating positive change for disabled veterans. You are all wonderful.
Michael Green-
Michael joined the US Army in 2003, shortly after graduating high school. While conducting a routine patrol in Iraq in 2005, the vehicle he was driving was compromised by an explosive. Fortunately no one was killed, but Michael suffered the loss of his right arm and sustained a deep wound on his thigh.
3 years later Michael medically retired as a specialist E-4.
Today, Michael is attending Cal State University, Bakersfield, where he is studying psychology and working part-time for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.
Michael received the Purple Heart for his injuries. Thank you, Michael!
Norbert “Norbie” Lara (pictured below on left)-
Norbie is also part of the Wounded Warrior Project and served in the US Army. He started his service in 1995 and in 2004, in a tour in Iraq; his vehicle was struck by a rocket grenade causing severe injuries, including the loss of his arm, lacerations to his liver, and severe lung damage.
Some of the medals he has been awarded include: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation, Army Achievement, National Defense Service, Army Good Conduct, just to name a few.
Luckily after months of intensive physical therapy, he has made a full recovery. He now resides with his wife, Priscilla, and four children in Visalia, CA and works with the Wounded Warrior Project. He is also continuing his education in social work at the College of the Sequoias.
Thank you for being with us, Norbie.We also had two wonderful women with us from Military Working Dog Adoptions, http://militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/, Debbie Kandoll and Louisa Vaughn.
I know these women very well, because last year, I adopted my own four-legged hero, Chyba, from Debbie’s organization to make the Retiring Military Working Dog adoption process easier for those interested in giving a Forever Home to a deserving Veteran! These amazing dogs save on average 150 soldiers lives during their service. We cannot leave any soldiers behind. They are magnificent animals and should be honored just like the other soldiers here for their service to our country.
Thank you so much to Debbie and Louisa for all of your amazing work with these canine veterans!
We also cannot forget our wonderful Native American friends who joined us.
Santa Ynez Chumash tribe-
This tribe, out of Santa Barbara, honors their ancestors by reaching out to their community. Not only are they successful in the Casino business and hotel ventures, but also they are very generous. They have the spirit of generosity, “amuyich” as they call it. Over the years, they have donated over 13 million to local groups, organizations, and schools. And look at their wonderful regalia! They looked amazing! (also pictured, Bill Lomax)
Travis Jackson, Jr.-
Travis is with the Seminole Muskogee Cherokee Quchan tribe Wolf Clan out of Oklahoma. He has been supporting Saving America’s Mustangs for quite a long time. He has made all of the jewelry pieces you saw on myself, some of the other participants, and the chest pieces on the horses. He also painted the mustangs beautifully for the parade. He is an amazing artist and we are so thrilled he could join us and proudly carry our Saving America’s Mustangs flag in the parade.
Thank you, Travis. You are truly one of a kind!
Chief Arvol Looking Horse and Paula Horne-Mullen-
Chief Arvol has been a friend of Saving America’s Mustangs for years. He is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Original Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nation of the Sioux.
He was joined by his wife, Paula Horne Mullen. The Native American on the horse on top of the mountain of our float was inspired by a photo of Chief Arvol on his own horse,
One of my favorite quotes that Chief Arvol has said was this:
“We hunted the bison together, we fought battles, and they transported our people to safe harbors. Throughout history the horse helped us to survive. He was our spirit, a noble friend to the nations of America. A horse is a beautiful, trusting animal. We must protect them. Help us protect them.”
Thank you Chief Arvol and Paula for joining us. We are so glad to have your friendship!
Also, we cannot forget our wonderful Advisory Board Members that came out to support us. Thank you to Retired NFL Quarterback and now Head Coach of SMU, June Jones, Notre Dame Football Legend, Rudy Ruetigger, and Legendary Energy Executive and Philanthropist, T. Boone Pickens!
We cannot forget about our champion riders and trainers in our equestrian unit either!
Pete Kyle, Reed Kyle, Ryan Kyle, Miranda Lyon, Mark Lyon, Jerry Reynoldson, Tamra Kyle, & Laura Webb. Thank you all for your amazing work with our six adopted mustangs! The Equestfest and the parade were both a huge success!
As you can see from reading these bios, we were among so many great Americans!! What an honor! This was the BEST New Year’s Ever!!!!
Thank you to all of our participants for realizing the importance of protecting our wild horses and agreeing to walk proudly with our foundation at the 2011 Rose Parade!!
Thank you all for watching and your support of our organization! We feel so blessed to be a part of this event! Saving America’s Mustangs salutes our military!!
Also, to clear up the confusion as to why our float wasn’t shown at all on NBC and not many local networks, was because there were two floats that broke down in front of us in the lineup, so it slowed things down, and as our float was hitting TV Corner, those networks went to commercial. It’s unfortunate, but at least the 750,000 people lining the streets got to see the float and the viewers of HGTV and Hallmark too! This was a very successful event and we couldn’t be happier, despite the lack of coverage on NBC.
Also, we’re thrilled that our float won the Past President’s Trophy for the Most Innovative Use of Floral and Non-Floral!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here’s to a new beginning for our mustangs!
Best,
Madeleine Pickens & all the mustangs
(photos by Reel Ideas out of Pasadena and Michael Partenio)
Jan. 3, 2011
www.madeleinepickens.com/news/all-about-our-saving-americas-mustangs-2011-rose-parade-participants/