Injured Service Members Compete as Cowboys

A group of service members in Semper Fi Fund’s (SFF) recovery through sports program will compete June 15 in the Cowboy Challenge at J Bar C Ranch in Culpeper.

The 12 Team Semper Fi (TSF) members all have been injured in service to the country and are currently participating in the Jinx McCain Horsemanship Program for Wounded Warriors.

"During the week preceding the Cowboy Challenge, service members learned the day-to-day routine of a cowboy," Paul Fitzgerald, Team Semper Fi manager said. 

"Cowboys taught team members to ride a horse, and then barrel racing, team penning, pole bending and calf branding," Fitzgerald said. "These skills will be put to the test during Saturday's Cowboy Challenge.”

The Cowboy Challenge begins at 2 p.m. and is followed by a BBQ Cookout and barn dance from 5 - 8 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.  J Bar C Ranch is located at 16508 Crowell Lane in Culpeper.

Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit organization providing financial assistance and quality of life solutions to Marines and Sailors, as well as members of the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard who serve in support of Marine forces, when they become injured in post 9-11 combat or training operations, or face life threatening illness or injury.

To date SSF has given more than 58,000 financial grants totaling more than $75 million to service members and their families.

SFF was founded by Karen Guenther, a registered nurse and spouse of an active duty Marine with first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by wounded Marines and Sailors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  She, and a group of military spouses established Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in May 2004.

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