South Side rodeo brings resources, support to veterans: 'This is really needed.'
The athletic field at It Takes a Village Leadership Academy on the South Side usually hosts football and soccer games, but on Sunday it was home to a different kind of competition.
Cowboys, cowgirls and cattle thundered onto the field for a rodeo that also doubled as a resource fair to help connect military veterans with the services they need.
South Shore native Ben Minett, who served in the Navy from 2000 to 2003, said he’s “never really seen something like this before.” He said the event helped introduce him to some of the veterans' benefits he qualifies for, which he didn’t know about when he left the military.
“Sometimes when you get back out in the civilian world you don't even think about that, you just get back out here,” said Minett, 47. “This is really needed.”
The inaugural National Veteran Rodeo & Resource Fair was hosted by Leave No Veteran Behind, a national nonprofit.
Eli Williamson, co-founder of the organization, said the one-of-a-kind event was intended to bring out the community so they can spread the word about the services and support that veterans are entitled to.
“Its a unique way to bring the community together, and that's usually the way in which veterans know about their benefits and engage, because their mother told them to check out their benefits, their sister, their brother,” Williamson said.
He added that they chose to hold the event in an underserved area of the South Side so the neighborhood could share in some of the economic benefits from the crowd of visitors.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, who was one of several elected officials at the event, also noted that the South Side rodeo honors the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls.
He shouted out Chicago’s Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, one of the city’s oldest multicultural riding clubs, which participated in the event.“They have kept alive a part of American history that is too often untold,” Johnson said.
The mayor also recognized the contributions of Black Americans in the military, honoring the only Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II, known as the “Six Triple Eight.” Johnson read a proclamation declaring Aug. 10 as “Six Triple Eight” day in the city.
Cook County and state officials also read their own proclamations dedicating the day to the trailblazing unit.
After the speeches the riders jumped in their saddles for the rodeo. Participants hailed from Oklahoma, Florida, Louisiana and Chicago. They competed in bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and more.
Residents of nearby apartment buildings sat on their balconies to watch the events.
More than 20 veterans organizations offering services such as mental health help and career advice participated in the event. These included Forest Park Vet Center, Illinois Joining Forces and Chicago Veterans.
Williamson said organizers hoped to enroll 1,000 veterans in vital services at the rodeo.
Fernando Garcia, 42, served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006. He was glad to see many fellow veterans at the event. But he hopes those that couldn't attend know that there was help available to them and that the community has their backs.
“The help is always there if you need it,” Garcia said. “You did your part, we’re trying to do our part to help you.”
Julian Rossi, who served in the Coast Guard and is a member of the Illinois National Guard, echoed Garcia. He said veterans organizations have helped him get financial assistance and work on his mental health.
“Come to these events, I know sometimes there’s some trepidation about coming to things like this and getting help or reaching out,” Rossi said. “If you need help, seek it, there are resources, and reach out and get what’s provided to you.”