FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Feb. 19, 2014) -- For the first time in recent history, Fort Leonard Wood Soldiers brought military tradition to the opening ceremonies of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series Friday at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy Color Guard presented the national and state colors as Drill Sgt. Christiana Ball, 787th Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade and Army Entertainment's 2013 Rising Star, sang the national anthem; and the MSCoE 399th Army Route 66 Band provided pre-ceremony music just before the Top 35 bull riders competed in Round 1 of the PBR series.
Brig. Gen. Anthony Funkhouser, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, explained why this type of community outreach is meaningful.
"It is always important for us to showcase our young men and women of the Army," Funkhouser said. "These Soldiers are just a representative sample of the dedicated Soldiers that we have here at Fort Leonard Wood. I take a lot of pride in seeing the appreciation that people have for our Soldiers."
Before the event, Funkhouser took a "Behind the Chutes" tour, which provided a basic understanding of bull riding, judging, scoring and equipment. Given the danger of the sport, Funkhouser said he was impressed with the riders' emphasis on safety.
"There is a lot of training that goes on behind the scenes for a rider to get to the middle of the arena to accomplish the eight seconds that is required to earn a score," he said. "That middle of the arena is like the Army in the sense of the training that is required to prepare Soldiers for their mission. I have a sense of appreciation for what they do here."
Bull riders take on bulls more than 10 times their weight during 8-second battles that will leave only one athlete standing at the buzzer.
"This represents America," he said. "Professional bull riding is an expanding sport in our country and they have opened up their arms to support us and showcase our talent, and we appreciate the great relationship we have."
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