Mantua – The Hero’s Rock Thank You Tour is all about bringing people together to show their appreciation to the military and their families. What better way than kids caring about kids!
Hero’s Rock made a surprise visit to Crestwood Middle School in Mantua, Ohio last Wednesday. As the teens and pre-teens were heading down to lunch, a group at a time were diverted outside, where two Old Hippies and 4 Patriotic Ponies were waiting. As we explained the Patriotic Pony program and asked for their assistance in decorating these rocking horses for children of wounded warriors, excitement ensued! They each extended a hand to be painted red or blue and laid them gently in place on the rocking horse as symbols of love and support.
Hero’s Rock also brought the completed Patriotic Pony which honored Crestwood and Kent student Spc. Adam Hamilton who was killed in action in Afghanistan nearly five years ago, 5-28-2011. Most of the students either knew, or knew of Adam through his brother Nick who attends Crestwood Middle School. Along with helping decorate a pony on Wednesday, Nick and his family have helped decorate a couple of Patriotic Ponies, included his brother’s horse.
Hero’s Rock is currently working on Phase One of the Patriotic Pony Pledge and is feverishly building 19 Patriotic Pony rocking horses to be placed in Fisher Houses (which provide free housing for families of injured soldiers) across the western side of the country. Each rocking horse is decorated red, white and blue with hand prints symbolizing this nation’s love and support of our military and their families. Each honors a fallen soldier with a laser portrait and will be delivered with a Thank You card which tells the story of each hero’s life. A reminder of this nation’s promise to never forget!
On August 31, Hero’s Rock will set out on a 7,500 mile tour, crossing 21 states to deliver these rockers and hold Thank You Rallies along the way to show our country’s appreciation for our military and their families.
When you see the realization of what we are doing in the innocent faces of children, you realize the importance of including them in the healing process. To see the expression in their eyes was simply amazing!
Thank you all for taking part in this special project! Special thanks to Lynn Morrison and Principal Julie Schmidt for allowing Hero’s Rock to come and share the Patriotic Pony experience!
Crestwood Middle School, YOU ROCK!
You can still take part in this program by becoming a sponsor of the Hero’s Rock Thank You Tour. Email us at contactus@herosrock.us, phone 650-ROCKERS (762-5377) or message us on Facebook. Any donation is appreciated!
Follow Hero’s Rock on Facebook to watch the project’s progress and the journey across the country.
