Over two million people went to this year's Houston Livestock show and rodeo. Once again breaking the all time attendance records. Next year, rodeo goers will be able to see a new monument that will serve as a permanent tribute to our Troops. This monument is a donation made possible by several special people who forever have given our service men and women a fitting salute.
The story begins with a Veteran named Bill Callahan. Callahan served in Vietnam where he lost both his legs and broke his back while serving for our Country. But his story is not one of despair, it is one of survival and commitment. Callahan, through surgery and prosthesis was able to walk again. He became know in the mid 80's as the Walking Man. Callahan's mission was to bring attention to Veterans' issues and their treatment. It was on one of those walks that Callahan was struck by a car. His injuries left him bound to a wheelchair but alive to continue his passion to bring attention to our Troops.
It was during the first week of the rodeo at Reliant park that Callahan and his service dog Tailor spotted a new vendor. A Utah based company, The Rock Place, displayed their pieces of rock art that serve as flag poles, monuments and fire pits. Each rock is cut from a rich colored quarry in Utah and then hand sand-blasted to display some type of artistic image. Callahan was interested in a fairly large flag pole piece that had all the Military branches insignias displayed on it. The rock caught Callahan's eye enough to try to buy it. Lack of funds and price did not discourage Callahan.
The Rock Place is a business that works with many charities. It is said every piece of rock art they m
ake has some kind of story. On this day, they became part of the story. The fine people who make up the The Rock Place decided to donate the Military monument to Callahan. Callahan, accepted the donation with misty eyes and sincerity. But this veteran, whose mission is to bring attention to our Troops, did a very selfless act and donated the rock art to HLSR rodeo officials. Callahan's donation will be a permanent monument on Reliant Park grounds where all attendees will be able to see and appreciate our Armed Forces.
The rock art flag pole is expected to be place at the north end entrance of Reliant Stadium. This is the spot that Callahan and rodeo official Leroy Shafer have agreed would be a perfect location for all to see. It will be viewed by many, but only took one man's mission to see it happen. We salute our troops, we salute Bill Callahan!
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The story begins with a Veteran named Bill Callahan. Callahan served in Vietnam where he lost both his legs and broke his back while serving for our Country. But his story is not one of despair, it is one of survival and commitment. Callahan, through surgery and prosthesis was able to walk again. He became know in the mid 80's as the Walking Man. Callahan's mission was to bring attention to Veterans' issues and their treatment. It was on one of those walks that Callahan was struck by a car. His injuries left him bound to a wheelchair but alive to continue his passion to bring attention to our Troops.It was during the first week of the rodeo at Reliant park that Callahan and his service dog Tailor spotted a new vendor. A Utah based company, The Rock Place, displayed their pieces of rock art that serve as flag poles, monuments and fire pits. Each rock is cut from a rich colored quarry in Utah and then hand sand-blasted to display some type of artistic image. Callahan was interested in a fairly large flag pole piece that had all the Military branches insignias displayed on it. The rock caught Callahan's eye enough to try to buy it. Lack of funds and price did not discourage Callahan.
The Rock Place is a business that works with many charities. It is said every piece of rock art they m
ake has some kind of story. On this day, they became part of the story. The fine people who make up the The Rock Place decided to donate the Military monument to Callahan. Callahan, accepted the donation with misty eyes and sincerity. But this veteran, whose mission is to bring attention to our Troops, did a very selfless act and donated the rock art to HLSR rodeo officials. Callahan's donation will be a permanent monument on Reliant Park grounds where all attendees will be able to see and appreciate our Armed Forces.The rock art flag pole is expected to be place at the north end entrance of Reliant Stadium. This is the spot that Callahan and rodeo official Leroy Shafer have agreed would be a perfect location for all to see. It will be viewed by many, but only took one man's mission to see it happen. We salute our troops, we salute Bill Callahan!
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