Cowgirls Historical Foundation. Photo by Charles Brooks

July may be hot, but the Cowgirls Historical Foundation has found that community service warms your heart year round!

June found the CHF Cowgirls all around the state.

Cowgirls Historical Foundation. Meeting Toby Keith. Photo by Charles Brooks

When Toby Keith came to Mesa, he was greeted with beautiful silver saddled horses and CHF Cowgirls. It was a wonderful affair filled with many dignitaries and VIPs including the Gilbert Days Rodeo Royalty.

June 6th the Cowgirls Historical Foundation Cowgirls were at the Prescott Equifest event. This event showcased vendor booths catering to dog and horse lovers with wonderful clinics, displays and arena demonstrations. The police department demonstrated their canine cops. Their intense take-down of criminals should be an additional motivation for repentance!

The CHF Cowgirls did two performance drills, supplied guest speakers,(special thanks to Lindsey Herrmann for her example of a rodeo queen speech) rodeo royalty information, and teams in the competive Horse Trailer Races. Congrats to Team "Shamrock and Roll" - Pat Brady and Marjon Brown and "Long Lean Machine" - Natalie Johnson and Chantel Miles for such excellent performances in the finals.

Cowgirls Historical Foundation. Meeting Toby Keith at the opening of his new Mesa restaurant "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill". . Photo by Charles Brooks

Prescott brought in more western heritage with their lovely rodeo royalty competition. Congratulations to the new 2010 Prescott Rodeo Royalty... Chantel Miles-Prescott Rodeo Queen 2010 and Rebecca Johnson-Prescott Rodeo Senior Court!

One of the ongoing projects of the Cowgirls Historical Foundation is to encourage patriotism and respect for our military.

Along with CHF member Taryn Brady, 2009 Miss Rodeo Arizona, we will be sharing information about proper flag protocol and inspiring stories from our military. Next time you see an American flag, remember this story to add to your appreciation:

Cowgirls Historical Foundation. Photo by Charles Brooks

As told by Paul Dunn - "I was in a concentration camp that we helped to liberate during World War II. As we blew the lock off the prison door and tried to assist the miserable and the painful inside, I was interrupted by a tap on my boot and found, wallowing in the mud, a Protestant minister. One of his first requests was, "Soldier, do you have a flag?" Later when we retrieved one from the jeep I gave it to him on a stretcher and with tears in his eyes, he clutched it lovingly and said, "Thank God you came!"

*Respect for the American Flag

-The flag should be carried upright, aloft and free.

-The flag should be treated with respect. Protect it from being easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way when fastening, displaying or storing it.

-The flag should be kept free of markings, letters, drawings of any nature not inherent in its creation.

-In an arena presentation, the American flag should be in front and carried the highest. Rider should not back up carrying the American flag. In lineups it should be on its own far right. People are asked to stand at attention during the National Anthem and focus on the flag. The rider should hold it respectfully and in one place until the song has ended. American flag should lead out.

-If the American flag is in a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, such as by burning, privately. It is recommended that you contact your local American Legion Post, Boy Scouts of America, or Veterans of Foreign Wars post. They generally have a central collection site where flags are collected and disposed of in a proper ceremony.

Happy Fourth of July and Remember to Saddle Up for Patriotism!

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