One of the tenets of the Western way of life is showing support and gratitude to the men and women that protect Americans’ freedoms by putting their lives on the line every day. As a way to say thank you, The Run For A Million (TRFAM) is pleased to offer a fundraising benefit for the Night Stalker Association (NSA) during its 2022 event.
The NSA is a 501(c)19 nonprofit veterans’ organization that supports Night Stalker soldiers and their families, surviving family members of fallen Night Stalkers and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). Soldiers of the 160th SOAR have been actively and continuously engaged in combat since Oct. 2001. All NSA board members are volunteers, and every dollar raised goes directly to helping soldiers and their families.
“The 160th SOAR’s mission is to organize, equip, train and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders,” said Preston Cockrell, active duty Army and NSA member. “Known as ‘Night Stalkers,’ these soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters.”
The partnership came about when an active duty Night Stalker’s family from 4-160th SOAR that competes in reining approached Amanda Brumley, of Brumley Management Group, with the idea of auctioning off a custom set of spurs to raise money for the NSA. The spurs, which were fabricated from decommissioned M134 mini gun barrels, were hand forged by an active duty Night Stalker, and the flat bar was sent to NRHA Professional Justin “Gunny” Mathison, who handcrafted the spurs.
Brumley set up the fundraising event, which will include a live action on Friday, Aug. 19 prior to the Million Dollar Competition draw party. Along with the purchase of the spurs, a framed portrait of the 160th SOAR conducting combat operations and an American flag flown onboard an MH-47G Chinook helicopter during combat missions will be included.
“We are very excited to have the Night Stalkers at this event and have this opportunity to help financially support their families, and surviving family members of their fallen,” Brumley said. “This is a wonderful way to give back and thank them for their service. The Western way of life is also a patriot way of life. We love our country and those who fight for us.”
Brumley also thanked Shannon and Hershel Reid, owners of Patriot, a TRFAM contender, for adding value to the fundraiser by donation-matching, selling special merchandise for their stallion and donating a 2023 Patriot breeding to the live auction. All proceeds will go to the NSA.
“I just have a heart for all active and nonactive servicemen, including first responders,” Hershel said. “My king is Jesus Christ, and he laid down his life for me. What they do is a very physical representation of what Jesus did for us. They lay down their lives for us every day, and I think they deserve a lot of honor and respect for that. I hope this benefit helps them out a whole lot.”
To donate to the NSA, visit the NSA’s website. The NSA will also have a vendor booth at the event with 160th SOAR merchandise available for purchase. All of the proceeds collected at TRFAM will go to Night Stalkers and their families.
The Run For A Million will take place Aug. 17-20 at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. To learn more about The Run For A Million, visit www.trfam.com, and find the show on Facebook here.
For more information regarding the event, contact Brumley Management Group at brumleyevents@gmail.com.