 "Photo: Sara Manco")
Military Appreciation Day headlined the K-State Rodeo finals in Weber Arena Sunday and was filled to about 70 percent capacity. Flags from each respective unit of the armed forces hung above the middle of the arena.
The finals began with members of the color guard, dressed in red shirts and blue jeans, participating in a series of intricate maneuvers, including keeping five horses in a line and moving them together.
The participants came from stations as far away as California and New Mexico to as close as Manhattan, Kan. The soldiers had little to no experience prior to their enlistment.
The group moved on to popping red, white and blue-colored balloons tied to wooden posts and fences with sabers. The remaining balloons were shot with blanks from a pistol.
Afterwards, the rodeo announcer honored veterans around the arena, asking veterans and current enlistees to stand and remain standing upon announcement of their respective units.
The announcer started with the U.S. Navy and ended with the Army. Each member was greeted with appreciative applause from the audience. Half of the audience was either a current or former member of the U.S. military; a majority of those people were from the U.S. Army.
Derek Talbot, 19, U.S. Army, who has only been back in the country for three months, said it felt good to see that many people care.
Delbert Smith, 58, U.S. National Guard, agreed.
"It was awesome," he said. "I liked it a lot."
The veterans remained standing as Toby Keith's "American Solider" played over the loud speakers. Julie Phillips, 35, U.S. Air Force and mother of three, said the Toby Keith part was her favorite.
Phillips said she enjoyed each aspect of the ceremony and would not have changed anything.
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