By: Petra Keller, Media Team, National Pony Express Association
The National Pony Express Association (NPEA) has been invited to participate in the 100th anniversary of the Reno Rodeo this year as part of the Pony Express Re-Ride, which is scheduled to leave St. Joseph, MO on June 10 and arrive in Sacramento, CA on June 20.
The trail dust on the Pony Express National Historic Trail will barely settle before the NPEA carries letters for veterans into the Rodeo Arena on Patriot night, June 21. The Pony Express will give a special performance depicting the hand-off of the mail, delivering “Pony Letters for Veterans” via horseback into the arena to be handed over to the Veterans Coalition. NPEA will also participate in the Reno Rodeo Parade on June 22 and at Kids Day, where kids can dress up as a Pony Express rider and have photos taken, on June 23.
The NPEA and the Reno Rodeo are asking for help from the public to write letters to veterans that will be carried in a mochila (mail bag) specially made for the event. The letters will receive a stamp saying that they were carried on horseback by the Pony Express. The letters will be delivered to the Nevada Veterans Coalition for distribution to our U.S. veterans. NPEA’s goal is to reach as many veterans as possible through this letter drive. There is no cost for sending as many letters as you’d like, and you may use your own stationery.
Send Letters
Help NPEA present a full mochila to veterans at the Reno Rodeo by sending a letter by June 15, 2019 to:
Pony Express Letters for Veterans
c/o Reno Rodeo
PO Box 12335
Reno, NV 89510
Letter templates and text suggestions at: www.nationalponyexpress.org/npea-events/rodeo/
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