HomeMy WebLinkAboutROCK On Veterans Program Proclamation_02.2017
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Merlin Hoppe is a United States Army WWII Veteran and Bronze Star, Silver Star, and
Purple Heart recipient; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoppe was one of ROCK’s first volunteers in 1998, and was responsible for building
ROCK up, starting with the original fences, uncovered arena, and red buildings that we now call “Classic
ROCK”; and
WHEREAS, George Taylor, Air Corp WWII Veteran, has been a ROCK volunteer for just over one
year and is so supportive of ROCK and its children, adults, and Veterans that he has earned a role as ROCK
Ambassador, serving as a Welcome Wrangler at the ROCK front desk, with the ROCK On Veterans program,
as well as being a Horseshoe Club Sponsor to Blue, a ROCK Therapy Horse; and
WHEREAS, ROCK serves riders who have received the Purple Heart, including JB Stewart, a U.S.
Army Vietnam War Veteran and Todd Plybon, a U.S. Army Iraq/Afghanistan War Veteran; and
WHEREAS, Heidi Derning is a PATH Intl. Registered Instructor and Recreational Therapist who has
been with ROCK since 1999, and for the last 18 years has worked as the center's volunteer coordinator, a full-
time therapeutic riding instructor, coordinates ROCK On Veterans, and is incredibly passionate about
ROCK’s Veterans program; and
WHEREAS, we honor these individuals, all Purple Heart recipients, and all Veterans that have
played such an important part in our organization, the Georgetown community, and the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DALE ROSS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN,
TEXAS, do hereby offer a sincere thank you and pay special tribute to the
ROCK On Veterans Program