{"id":7312,"date":"2017-08-21T09:31:57","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T13:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/daily-planet-arthur\/?p=7312"},"modified":"2017-08-21T09:31:57","modified_gmt":"2017-08-21T13:31:57","slug":"saratoga-warhorse-commitment-down-the-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saratoga.com\/daily-planet-arthur\/2017\/08\/saratoga-warhorse-commitment-down-the-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Saratoga WarHorse: Commitment – Down the Line."},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nA BLUE SPANGLED EYE-OPENER
\nBella Grimes<\/em><\/p>\n

SARATOGA SPRINGS- Saratoga WarHorse Foundation held their Fifth Annual Blue Spangled Evening Gala at The Hall of Springs on Monday, August 14. This Foundation benefits our Veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related mental illnesses. These may occur because of a life-altering or threatening experience in the military which can cause mood swings and depression long after our Veterans return home.<\/p>\n

Saratoga WarHorse is a not-for-profit foundation that offers free therapy sessions to veterans, centering around both the Veterans and retired thoroughbreds \u2013 working together side-by-side, leading to a phenomenal breakthrough of understanding. That concept was brought home most to me by Troy Huggard, a Veteran who is a WarHorse Graduate \u2013 Huggard was one of many impressive speakers on this Blue Spangled Evening.
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\nThe evening began with Cocktails and Hors D\u2019oeuvres, accompanied by several silent auction items. A Welcome speech from Foundation Chairman Brian Spearman. <\/p>\n

Then, a show-stopper: Cassendra MacDonald sang the National Anthem with grace and glory.
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\nAfter dinner, inspirational guest speakers Brigadier General Jeffrey W. Foley (ret.) and Troy Huggard spoke of their experiences in the military, which warmed the hearts of Veterans and other attendees. And what would a Gala in Saratoga be without the voice of horse racing\u2019s Tom Durkin – tonight the auctioneer of a reverse auction – which kept the crowd alive with his genial sense of humor.
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\nEveryone was dressed to impress for the Hollywood style red carpet event and full of supportive pride \u2013 and commitment \u2013 down the line.
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\nFor more information, visit saratogawarhorse.com<\/em>
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\nPHOTO INTERLUDE ONE:
\nYour orders: Press Play \/ Scroll Down \/ Enjoy our “Khaki Carpet”!<\/strong>
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