The U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay closed their doors to the public Saturday for a special event that is benefiting several military families.
21-year-old Daylon Swearingen has been a professional bull rider for the past 3 years. Swearingen says the sport called his name at a young age. His professional career has taken him all over the country in several competitions.
However, this is the first time Swearingen has performed on a historic aircraft carrier.
“It’s really cool to be bull riding on a ship, I mean I don’t know if that’s ever been done, I’m really blessed to be here,” said Swearingen.
Funds raised from the competition will go towards the non-profit Operation Homefront. The organization is committed to helping military families who are in need.
“I can see the face, I can see the kids of the families we’re helping, and they desperately need the help we don’t assist anyone that doesn’t need it, people have come to us really need[ing] some help and we wanna be there for them,” said administrator with Operation Homefront Robert Thomas.
The professional Bull Riders have opened shows at Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles, and many other well-known stadiums.
“Our military veterans, our active military, our first responders, we honor them across this country in all of our events; to have the opportunity to do this there was no better choice,” said CEO & PBR Commissioner Sean Gleason.
Workers with the Blue Ghost say this is the first time they’re holding a bull riding event on their ship.
“The partnership behind PBR and the Lexington working together is something absolutely amazing, it’s going to be showcased in this bull riding event and we’re just very excited,” said the CEO of the U.S.S. Lexington Museum Steve Banta.
Bull riders say they are honored to use their talents to help military families who are in need.
“These are the people that keep us safe and they help us do what we love to do, so any chance I can get to help them I’m going to do that,” said Swearingen.
The Museum on the Bay will reopen for the public Sunday at 1 p.m.
