RIP Melody The Military Funeral Horse, Thank You for Your Service
Melody was a military funeral horse who came to the CT Draft Horse Rescue in 2016 when her owner's health declined. She had turned 33 years old this past spring. On the evening of June 16th, a volunteer found her down at night-check. Our vet administered medications and we tried helping her up for several hours. A YouTube video interview of her owner, Richard Kowalker, was even played so she could hear her daddy's voice. She picked up her head and looked around for him, but then put it down and closed her eyes. Shortly before midnight she passed away while she listened to her daddy’s voice on the video. We know that she will wait for him at the Rainbow Bridge. After honoring the lives of over 700 veterans at their military funerals, CDHR was honored to serve and comfort Melody in her final years.
A memorial service for Melody is planned for 11:00am on Saturday, June 30th, at the CDHR farm Autumn Ridge (113 Chestnut Hill Rd, East Hampton CT 06424), and is open to the public so those who knew Melody can pay their respects. Rick and his family have made an incredibly generous offer to CDHR for a matching gift of $50,000 if we can also raise that amount in donations. The funds will go towards the construction of a barn at Autumn Ridge which will include a display of Rick's Marine dress blues, his military saddle, and newspaper clippings with pictures to remember and honor the lives and service of Melody and Rick. Donations can be sent through https://donorbox.org/memorial-fund-for-melody-the-military-… or by mail to CDHR, PO Box 273, East Hampton CT 06424.