OCALA, FL (352today.com) – At the heart of Ocala’s World Equestrian Center (WEC) stands a statue of a very special veteran: Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Reckless.
This isn’t just any Marine. This special Marine is a decorated warhorse who held official rank in the United States military.
While her name may not be as recognizable as Chesty Puller’s, the most famous bulldog in the Marine Corps named for Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, Jr., this Mongolian mare was much more than a mascot.
According to the 1st Marine Division’s website, SSgt. Reckless was purchased at a racetrack in Seoul, Korea, and then trained to be a pack horse for the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, Fifth Marine Regiment. After being promoted to corporal while transporting supplies, ammo, and evacuated casualties during and after the Korean War, she continued her service. She was promoted to sergeant at the conclusion of the war in 1954, and to staff sergeant in 1959.
The website goes on to list her decorations including the Purple Heart (with one gold star), Presidential Unit Citation (with one bronze star), Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with three bronze stars), Dickin Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the United Nations Korea Medal.
WEC will be unveiling an exclusive-edition Breyer Model Horse of SSgt. Reckless in a World Equestrian Center-branded box this Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3:30 p.m. on the Grand Plaza (Arena 4 side). Only 3,000 of these particular Breyer models are being re-released of this American hero.
New York Times bestselling author Robin Hutton and sculptor Jocelyn Russell will each speak as experts during the event at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Hutton, who wrote Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse, will share stories and sign copies of her biography while Russell will talk about how she researched and created the monument from miniature to the finished life-sized work.
“We are thrilled to be continuing to honor a great American war hero and Marine in SSgt. Reckless with our partnership with Breyer,” said WEC Senior Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy Justin Garner. “The beautiful sculpture of her graces our Grand Plaza backdropped by the American and Service Branch flags to honor those that served our country in war time and peace time to protect our free way of life.”
The exclusive-edition Breyer models will be available for purchase at the event and Garner says that this limited edition, re-release is “something we have been working with Breyer on for quite some time and are thrilled to have it here in time for Christmas.”
The models will be available for purchase at the event, at Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe in The Equestrian Hotel. They can be pre-ordered online for $52.50 at A Sudden Impulse boutique.