Stan
-
It was a great opportunity to meet you the other day. Hope to hear from
you while you are in town. Wife & I would like to take you out to dinner or
have you over (we are about 10 min or less away from the Dericks).
The attached is a story I sent to our newsgroups in the horse rescue family as
well as HORSE GAZETTE and a few other news groups. If there are any errors that
need fixin, please let me know. I have also attached
some pictures and a short video in either this e-mail or a following one.
HAPPY
TRAILS
Michael White
(512) 508-5466
Guess What
I Saw on the Way Home?
It
was just your average Friday (OK, GOOD FRIDAY) as I was driving home from some
errands. Now, here in Liberty Hill, life is quiet and normal, nothing too
exciting. After feeding the horses, I was on the way to do some errands when I
see something up ahead on the road. Something brown, white
and orange on the side of the highway. As I get closer, I see a
wonderful sight, three horses butts. OK, The posteriors are not what I always enjoy seeing but are
always a good sight. As I approached I see a gentleman on horseback with two
horses in tow packing the orange saddle bags and a blue heeler riding on the back
of one of them. I stop to talk with him.
Stan
Perdue is his name. A retired ex-military who decided to see the country and to
remind folks of our men & women who serve this country He has dedicated
this ride to the troops.
Stan
is a retired US Army SFC who served proudly for 20 years. After a jaunt in the
business world, Stan retired to a life of horses.
Departing
Stan
is riding “Apache” a 4 year old Appendix QH (at least ½) that Stan says
he has had since conception. A beautiful boy that is a gentle and friendly as
can be. As Stan says “His Boy”. Following him is “Suzy-Q”. Acquired in
Parish, AL, Suzy-Q a sweet Arrabian / Appy / Paint
mix is a bit shy from a previous owners abuse or something .
She is 6 years old and carrying a good sturdy pack rig and is quite a calm gal.
And following her is “Banjo” a 8 year old
paint. A solid looking boy just as gentle as the others.
Riding atop of “Banjo” in a custom sun deck is Stan’s’ 8 month old Blue
Healer “Bandit”. Horses and a dog, who cannot love
this?
I
ended our conversation with Stan as he had to continue to some past military
friend here in Liberty Hill and wanted to get there before sunset. Departing
for Stan was not that easy as more people stopped to say HI and look at the
horses. Apparently Stan and his pals have been shown on TV and news shows. A
real celebrity here in Liberty Hill! While I was at the bank, I was telling the
teller about Stan. Next I have all of the gals from the bank listening and then
ALL of them standing out front of the bank looking and waving. Now, good thing
I am honest or I could have made off with ALL of the candy in the candy dish.
Some of the ladies have sons in the military and wanted to donate. They
gathered some funds from having a bake sale that day,
I was given a box full of goodies for Stan. Had to take that to his friends house where he was going as it was too big for him
to carry. Watching people offer him places to stay, food for him or horses or
the dog, cash, hugs and good wishes, Stan is a humble man who only wants us to
keep the troops in our thoughts and prayers. He is here for a week taking a
long needed rest for the horses and his backside. Hope to have him out for
supper this week.
So
a guy on horseback in Liberty Hill is not that big of news, yet what Stan is
doing inspires all of us to open our hearts and dream. Dream of the way it used
to be when there was only horses to go from A to B,
open our hearts to think and pray for all of our military who have and are
serving this great country of ours. To open our hearts to be
a neighbor to the new folks in town and the strangers. These days of
locked doors and privacy, it is great to get a new perspective on life from
atop of a horse. To see the world and its people coming
together over the love of horses and service men/women. What a great
opportunity and adventure Stan is having. To see the country
and its people. If you see him on the road, stop and say “Hey”
Pet the horses and the dog. He loves stories and has great ones to tell. He is
a great horseman and a lover of the
Visit his web site to keep up on where he is and how far they all have gone.
RESPONCES
FROM NEWS GROUPS
From: Marianne Skarpa
What a neat experience!
+++
From: Amy Walsh
Michael-
This is a wonderful story. You gotta love
Tim and Amy Walsh
+++
From: Josh and Erica
THAT IS TO FREAKIN COOL, I RESPECT THE MAN WHOLE HEARTADLY AND I HAVE NEVER MET
HIM, THANKS FOR THE STORY. ERICA
+++
From: "Sharon Martin-Holm"
How wonderful! I have family in Liberty Hill, so I know how
"big" a town it is. That is so neat! Give him a
"best wishes" and "yay troops!"
from us all.
Sharon Martin-Holm
Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society
Director, Member Representative
+++
From: "
Hello Michael, what a wonderful experience for
you and thanks for sharing.
It has made my day and I hope you don't mind, but I shared this with a
friend of mine in
the Los Angeles ABC network. He started announcing at a race track and
then
went into news. He has done several stories
on abuse and I hope he will
put this story in the news so that the message can spread.
Thanks, Doris
Casper
+++
From: Bar K Ranch
Michael –
WOW, what
an experience Stan is having. Please let us know his route as we would love to
see him and perhaps have the opportunity to say hello & thank him for his
love of our troops. When I first read the story I was wondering how the horses
were holding up, yet the pictures showed his good condition horses and like you
said, ready for some R&R and a bath. How inspirational this story is.
Please give him a big
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