San Angelo rodeo honors military Published Feb. 18, 2016 By Senior Airman Scott Jackson 17th Training Wing Public Affairs SAN ANGELO, Texas -- The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association hosted Military Appreciation Night at the Foster Communications Coliseum Feb. 17, honoring service members who defend the rights and freedoms of America. The San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the biggest shows in the nation. Since its beginnings in 1932, it’s one of the longest-running rodeos in the world. Annually the city takes a night to dedicate the show to Goodfellow Air Force Base. Volunteers and spectators from the base come out to enjoy the night. Boyd Polhamus, San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo announcer, kicked the show off by thanking the military and highlighting the freedoms that Americans enjoy. "It’s alarming, folks," said Polhamus. “We have freshmen entering high school who were born after the twin towers fell. We can never forget what happened on that day and the sacrifices of the armed forces to protect the freedoms we enjoy.” Goodfellow Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the colors as Goodfellow's Patriotic Blue sang the national anthem. The San Angelo Ambassadors, a rodeo drill team, came out after the bareback riding to pay tribute to the military with a drill routine. On the horses, they carried each of the armed services’ flags, the Texas flag and the POW/MIA flag. Col. Michael L. Downs, 17th Training Wing Commander, participated in the rodeo during the tie-down roping. After officials released the calf, he returned the rope to the cowboy. “It meant a lot to me to participate in the rodeo and represent Goodfellow Air Force Base,” said Downs. “This community is unbelievable; every day there is something new that makes me love San Angelo even more.” The night ended with a video presentation honoring the men and women who serve.
