Cowboy Medics: CFD's silent heroes

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nora Eyle
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. --  The Cowboy Medics are the silent heroes of Cheyenne Frontier Days; they don't want credit, and they don't want a lot of attention. According to them, they're just doing their job.

Master Sgt Larry Mason, 90th Medical Operations Squadron, is one of the most experienced Cowboy Medics, he's been volunteering at Cheyenne Frontier Days since 1998, and he's been an Air Force medic since 1981.

"We're part of an extremely long tradition. The first Cheyenne Frontier Days was on base and the military has been involved for the past 110 years," said Sergeant Mason. 

Approximately 50 people volunteer as Cowboy Medics every year and many of them are stationed at Warren as well as the Wyoming Air National Guard. In the past, both the Army and Navy have also sent representatives, but they were unable to do so this year because of deployments.

Most visitors to the rodeo have seen the cowboy medics in action, carrying out injured contestants and treating serious wounds, but what many people don't realize is that they offer medical assistance to all visitors -- as well as the 2,500 plus volunteers that make the event happen.

"We of course, cover the participants, but we also make sure that the 4,000 people that come to the rodeo each day are also being taken care of," said Sergeant Mason. "We have lookouts and ushers that are going through the crowds to make sure people haven't gotten too much sun and that they are staying safe."

The biggest health problems are due to the environment at the rodeo: heat-related illnesses, dehydration and high elevation can really make people sick.

"It gets warm out here. It can be close to 100 degrees out in the ring," said Sergeant Mason. "We are challenged by the climate because many people are coming from sea-level and it's around 6,000 feet here."

It's hard to contemplate how many people are assisted by the cowboy medics because much of their work is preventative. Often they try to catch someone as they are becoming dehydrated rather than deal with the aftereffects. The Cowboy Medics treated more than 65 patients during this year's CFD. Sergeant Mason doesn't think the work he does as a Cowboy Medic is anything out of the ordinary.

"All the volunteers spend a lot of time making this event happen, many of the Cowboy Medics work 12 to 14 days for the entire event. Their hard work is an example to me." 

Sergeant Mason will be retiring in the fall of 2007, but he has no intention of stopping his volunteer work for CFD. He has a lot to keep him busy; he volunteers with the Wyoming Mounted Search and Rescue and Challenge Rodeo as well. 

What are Sergeant Mason's plans after Cheyenne Frontier Days is over? 

"Take a break and start planning for next year's CFD," he says with a smile.