A mounted drill team made up of veterans and active-duty military performed at the Porcupine Roundup Rodeo in Paradise Friday evening to raise awareness of veteran suicide.
The performance also included two riderless horses, in honor of the two police officers killed in the line of duty in Tremonton on Aug. 17.
Called the Valor Detachment, the team is part of the Utah State University Equine Experience programs. Some of the team members are lifelong riders, while others have only been riding for a few months.
USU Extension Assistant Professor Makenna Pahlke created the team about six months ago to be a place where veterans could be themselves, develop a community and contribute to something meaningful.
Since its creation, the Valor Detachment has performed five times in various parades and rodeos. During each appearance, the riders carry two messages -- "22 a day is 22 too many" and "I Got Your Six."
The first message is a reference to a 2013 study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs which found about 22 veterans committed suicide each day between 1999 and 2010.
While the actual statistic has changed slightly over the years, the phrase is commonly used to bring awareness to the ongoing issue of suicide among veterans.
The second message, "I Got Your Six," has become a bit of a team motto, according to Pahlke.
She said it is a message for those in the audience that are veterans or active-duty military or have immediate family who are. She said the riders hope to bring attention to the fact each person has a responsibility to help each other out.
Team captain Kelsey Terry said the phrase is saying "I have your back."
"Someone is always there for us, we have each other," Terry said. "It's nice to know that even in the darkest times, if I need something, I can call somebody."
Pahlke said it is a reminder for people to check in and talk with the veterans in their life.
"It can save a life, and it can be more important than you believe," Pahlke said.
Terry grew up riding horses and competing in horsemanship competitions. When she heard about the Valor Detachment, she was immediately interested.
"I thought it would be really cool, because I am a veteran, and you don't really see the two come together," Terry said.
She said she loves being able to ride with the other veterans, particularly with a purpose.
"When we do parades, it's been absolutely touching to see everybody's reaction when they read our banners," Terry said. "I think everybody is affected by suicide, but especially veteran suicide."
Terry said she feels the program has had a positive impact on the team, as well as on the communities they have performed for.
"Suicide overall is such an under-talked-about and taboo topic, but it should not be," Terry said. "There are resources out there. We want to help people know about those resources."
Terry said if there are any veterans or active-duty military who are interested in joining, she is always looking to build the team.
For information on upcoming Valor Detachment performances, follow the team on Facebook.
USU Equine Experience programs are a collaboration between USU Extension and the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences.
One of the programs offers adaptive riding for people with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities. Other programs are aimed to serve veterans, including taking veterans and family members on trail rides or wagon rides.