Laughlin members support bull riding event

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Scott Saldukas
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen from Laughlin came together to lend a hand at the 34th annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding competition May 7 and 8 at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds in Del Rio.

About 80 Airmen and civilians from the base donated their time over the weekend to help ensure the event went as smoothly as possible.

"I think it's important for us to come out and support the local community during events like these," said Master Sgt. Rick Chang, 47th Medical Group. "Not only is it fun coming out here, but it allows military members a chance to interact with the community."

The Laughlin members held a variety of jobs during the two-day event, everything from checking tickets to working the concession stand.

"This event puts a lot of charitable money into the community," said Joel Langton, 47th Flying Training Wing chief of public affairs. "Some years, as much as $50,000 has been contributed from the concession stand, so Team XL members make quite the impact on the community by simply volunteering a few hours from their weekend."

Airman 1st Class Adrick Coleman, 47th Comptroller Squadron, said that coming out and lending some time is an easy way to get to know Del Rio and give back.

"I thought this would be a great way to give back to the people of Del Rio since they are very supportive of the military here," Airman Coleman said. "I wanted to come and do this. It's important that we keep a good partnership and working relationship with the city."

While coming out and giving back to the city was the primary objective, the volunteers also had an opportunity to watch some of the world's top ranked bull riders.

"I grew up in Texas but I never attended an event like this," said Staff Sgt. Esteban Esquivel. "The riders were great, but it was the environment that made this an experience. The crowd was going wild with avid fans. Even though I'm not familiar with the sport, I was still able to cheer the riders on with everyone else."

The promoters of the event offered a military discount to Department of Defense identification card holders and gave skybox tickets to families of deployed members.

Laughlin's leadership was impressed with the event.

"I was a student pilot here many years ago and one of the key events in the community then was the bull riding competition here," said Col. Thomas Murphy, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander. "After attending both days of this event, it is obvious that it's only gotten better."