The 22nd Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo came to a close Sunday night after posting a near record-breaking attendance for the two-night event. According to Chamber of Commerce executive director Roy Madden, nearly 2,000 people filled the bleachers and ground surrounding the arena each night. The rodeo started off Saturday night with Henryetta mayor Jennifer Clason welcoming everyone. |
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Henryetta mayor Jennifer Clason is shown with chamber rodeo committee member Tammi Hiatt at the opening of the two-night rodeo Saturday. | She was presented a cowboy hat to make sure she felt a part of the western atmosphere that pervaded each night. Prior to the start of the Saturday events, a special Patriot Tribute was held honoring the 85 men from Henryetta who were sent to Korea in July, 1950. "Many of these young men had just graduated from high school and fighting a war in Korea was the last thing on their minds," said the announcer Saturday. |
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"These young men had limited training and were facing a well-trained and well-armed fighting force. They proved they were no longer 18-year-old kids; they were warriors willing to draw a line on communist aggression in some far-off land." All 85 of those soldiers returned but, due to the intervening years, many have gone on and only a handful remain. A Korean War-era jeep with two of those veterans, former Sgt. Danny Powell and former Pvt. Will Rogers, was driven into the arena. They and the others were honored as a large American flag from the Broken Arrow Naval reserve was unfurled. |
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That recognition was followed by 15-year-old MaKayla Journey Baxter singing the National Anthem. For the next two hours, and the two hours Sunday night, rodeo fans watched as bronc and bull riders tried to stay on their animals while the ropes flew and steers were bulldogged. Prior to the close of the rodeo Sunday, the drawing for the custom-made Running P saddle was held. Miss Rodeo USA, Kirbi Allen, did the drawing, pulling out the ticket purchased by Kearby Weatherly from Okmulgee. Chamber executive director Roy Madden said Weatherly can pick up the saddle at the chamber office anytime after Monday. Photos from the two nights of rodeo: |
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Living Legends Rodeo draws near record crowd
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- Written by Bruce Jones