2024 marks 20 years since the founding of the National Day of the Cowboy organization. It’s been quite a ride. In those 20 years, we’ve managed to achieve passage of the National Day of the Cowboy bill in fifteen state legislatures. We saw our National Day of the Cowboy flag fly to the International Space Station aboard the space shuttle, Discovery. We’ve watched as one day events grow to huge 3-day happenings all over the country. We continue to encourage the establishment of celebrations and to promote those that already exist. We’ve said sad ‘goodbyes,’ to friends, donors, spokespersons, honorees, and volunteers who have passed away. We’ve had the privilege of learning about and recognizing many wonderful Cowboy Keeper Award recipients. I’ve added 250,000 miles to the odometer of my truck since 2005, mostly on the road for the promotion of the NDOC. The amazing experiences we’ve had and the stories of the people we’ve met since starting this journey could fill volumes.
None of this could have happened without dedicated board members and spokespersons, caring volunteers, generous donors and benefactors, and ongoing encouragement from the wide world of the cowboys and cowgirls we seek to honor.
The Board of Directors and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this necessary effort to permanently protect pioneer heritage and cowboy culture. We hope it can continue until all fifty states have enshrined this day permanently into their laws.
Hats off to the cowboy.
