At our Christmas Social with the Veterans Task Force we welcomed Brig. Gen. Jack Fox, the new Cabinet Secretary NM Department of Veteran's Services. He replaces our dear friend Col. Tim Hale.
Left: New Mexico Department of Public Safety and Cowboy Up! Chaplain Jose Villegas, Brig. Gen. Jack Fox, with Horses For Heroes - NM Executive Director Rick Iannucci wishing Gen. Fox well!
Rev. Rick Rinde ( Cowboy Up participant and former US Army EOD Afghanistan) and Rick Iannucci reviewing our year in review. Col. Quentin Collins is on the left.
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From the LA Daily Post
Ripple Effect Enhances Donations To Horses For Heroes by Carol A. Clark
To raise money for the Horses For Heroes program near Santa Fe, Rotarian Victor Medina placed a jar on the front counter at his Manhattan Project Restaurant several weeks ago in downtown Los Alamos.He discovered someone had removed all of the $5, $10 and $20 bills and left the $1 bills. He published a plea through the Los Alamos Daily Post to the culprit to return the money, which to date has not happened. Horses For Heroes assists in the healing of veterans who have suffered trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and shock.
After reading the story, State Farm Agency owner and miltary veteran Abe Dispennette contacted Medina and contributed $200 to the program. During its Dec. 16 meeting, the Los Alamos Rotary Club also contributed $500 to the Horses For Heroes program. Community Programs Office Executive Director Kurt Steinhaus heard about the story and benefits of the program and attended the meeting to present a contribution match on behalf of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Director Charlie McMillan.
Horses For Heroes Executive Director Rick Iannucci, together with program graduate Paul Duran, accepted the donations saying the program continues to work miracles in the lives of returning veterans such as Duran because of the generosity of organizations and individuals like those in Los Alamos.
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After completing his archeological dig and before heading out to NMSU to begin work on his Masters Degree , Paul spent time out at the ranch getting all the saddle time he could:
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On a much warmer day Paul instructs his cousin, an Air force veteran.
Paul takes him through how to halter groom, and some round pen work.
Lunch break and a bit of review of the days session.
After a great lunch it's time to ride!
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December 4th, 2014
New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association is heavily involved in many activities to promote and protect the livestock industry in NM and across the West. NMCGA provides numerous learning opportunities, including the Cattlemen's College of which we participate in annually with scholarships provided by NMCGA and Caren Cowan Exec. Director
