PARIS, Texas -- The mood was somber and respectful as the widow of a deceased Marine was escorted through the ring at the 51st annual Paris Rodeo in Paris, Texas Aug. 7.
The Paris Rodeo and Horse Club dedicated this year’s rodeo to Sgt. Jay M. Hoskins, a Paris resident who lost his life Aug. 6, 2009 while serving in Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
The rodeo was four days long, and the last day culminated with a ceremony in which the Hoskins family was presented with a plaque and a Texas state flag honoring their fallen Marine.
In support of the rodeo were Marines from General Support Motor Transport Company, a Texarkana detachment of the 6th Motor Transportation Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group. The Marines provided a color guard, buglers, flowers and escort services in support of the rodeo.
Ray McCranie, chairman of the rodeo committee, is in charge of putting on the rodeo each year. In 2009, McCranie was standing alongside Highway 271 with thousands of his fellow Paris residents during the funeral procession for Hoskins when he decided to dedicate the next year’s rodeo to the fallen Marine’s name.
He was struggling to find military support for the rodeo event until the Marines answered the call.
None of the Texarkana Marines had the opportunity to serve with Hoskins, but when Gunnery Sgt. John P. O’Donnell, operations and training chief for the Texarkana detachment, heard that this year’s rodeo was being dedicated to a fallen Marine, he reached out and offered assistance.
“It was God-sent,” McCranie said, describing the Marines’ support. “The Marines were truly excited to be a part of this, you could tell it was something they were not ordered or had to do, but truly something they wanted to be a part of and something they wanted to share in,” he added.
The Texarkana Marines assisted with a rider-less horse exhibition each night, and they supported the Saturday ceremony with a color guard, escorts and music.
O’Donnell recently checked in with the Texarkana unit. He is a resident of Paris and heard all about the incredible way the town of Paris showed their support when Hoskins was laid to rest in 2009.
“I was in awe with how this city supported their armed forces, particularly those that paid the ultimate sacrifice,” O’Donnell said.
When he heard that this year’s rodeo was in honor of Hoskins, he jumped at the opportunity to support it. “It was an example of the phrase ‘all gave some, but some gave all,’ and we were honored to be a part of it,” said O’Donnell.
Hoskins’ widow was escorted by 1st Sgt. Vaughn B. Williams, the Texarkana detachment first sergeant, to receive the plaque and flag presented by Texas State Rep. Mark Homer.
Williams was equally enthusiastic in his willingness to support the event.
“Marines take care of their own, and this is what we did.”
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