FORT WORTH, Texas (October 10, 2022) – When the rodeo team’s top professional stringers join military veterans and first responders in the arena, it gets emotional, exciting and hectic – it’s American military celebration. Hillwood Land & Cattle (AMC) with Charly Crawford presented by Douglas Allred Company.
Crawford’s passion for the military and love of the United States inspired him to create the AMC. His father was a sailor and as a cowboy and professional roper he was able to pursue his dreams and goals thanks to the military personnel and first responders who keep the country safe and free. He turned that passion into a free stringing school for his heroes in 2014. Since then, it has grown to include a stringing competition exclusively for military and first responders, a stringing featuring these heroes paired with the today’s best professionals and an open string.
LOOK: American military celebration of Charly Crawford
The U.S. military celebration will begin in Decatur, Texas, Nov. 2-4. Then the action moves to Fort Worth on November 5, where the champions will be crowned at Cowtown Coliseum. The JP Morgan Chase-sponsored NFR Showdown will highlight all four days with tickets available to the general public. The NFR Showdown will also be broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel.
LILY: Crawford U.S. Military Celebration to Honor and Help Roping Armed Service Heroes
The NFR Showdown includes a Mil-Pro Roping sponsored by Kinetic Vet. This is a fun event where the top 15 stringers from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association team who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) are paired with military and first responders. The Military First Responder Roping Finals will follow with the top 15 teams qualifying.
LILY: A Salute: Veteran, First Responder Donnie Woodmansee
With the participation of loyal sponsors Flat Tail Ranch and Driver Land & Cattle, the winning Military-First Responders’ Roping team is guaranteed $20,000, a trophy saddle, buckle and other prizes to provide them with a true experience of championship. Additionally, as part of the NFR Showdown, competitors will be able to test their cowboy skills at ranch rodeo events, making it a true western event that showcases teamwork like in the armed or as a first responder.
LILY: Tour de Force : Lt. Col. Bill Force
At the NFR, held in December in Las Vegas, contestants participate in the opening ceremonies behind their home state’s flag, an honor Crawford has won 10 times. At the NFR Open, military men and women will compete equally behind their branch flag. Then they’ll line up in an arena set up to mimic the NFR and for many of them, it’s as close to a World Championship experience as they’ll ever get.
“When we started this, we couldn’t believe the camaraderie we experienced,” Crawford said. “The pros were having so much fun and you could feel the energy in the arena. Moving it to the Cowtown Coliseum gives us the opportunity to elevate our event and share those experiences with a wider audience.
“I had so much fun at the American military celebration,” said reigning world champion hooker Junior Nogueira. “I’m from Brazil, but I still have a deep love for America and I appreciate the sacrifices these people have made. Charly has put together something special and I’m proud to be a part of it.
LILY: Warrior Nation: Erich Rogers, Derrick Begay and Aaron Tsinigine Host WAR Team Stringing Clinic
The fun doesn’t stop at the NFR Showdown. Billy Bob’s 81 Club will host an after party where a live auction will culminate the fundraising activities. The inaugural stringing contest raised $40,000 for Building Homes for Heroes in 2020. Last year, enough money was raised to donate $115,000.
LILY: Crawford’s U.S. military celebration raises over $115,000 to build homes for heroes
“Our military and our first responders have done so much for us and sacrificed so much.” Crawford added. “If we can give them the opportunity to have fun with their mates and put it all in an NFR-like arena and raise money for charities that help them, why wouldn’t we?”
Tickets are on sale now at the Cowtown Coliseum. For more information on the American Military Celebration, visit their www.americanmilitarycelebration.com or follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AmericanMilitaryCelebration.
