Stockman’s Casino Unites with Folds of Honor for Families

It began with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney’s flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform has fallen or been disabled.

As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Lt. Col. Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac. Among them was his young son, Jacob.

Since that night, Lt. Col. Rooney has committed his life to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through the Folds of Honor. Since 2007, the organization has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. The mission has now expanded to support families of America’s first responders. On their watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten.

Pamela Kendall, Folds of Honor Nevada President, and Michael Gaughan, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Folds of Honor, attended the 2025 Cantaloupe Festival. Michael, along with business partner David Ross (doing business as Clarity Game Nevada LLC), became co-owners of Stockman’s Casino on April 1, 2025.

Pamela became personally acquainted with Folds of Honor when her husband passed away in 2016. He had retired from the Air Force and suffered from PTSD along with physical injuries. With his unexpected passing, the family’s household income disappeared. One of the first questions asked of her by her then sixteen-year-old son was, “mom, can I still go to college?” Pamela said, “I had not even thought about any of that.”

When her husband retired from the military, he was affiliated with the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs). As a result, the VA connected her with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), and through that program, Folds of Honor awarded Christian Mesa, Pamela’s eldest son, a scholarship for higher education. He would eventually graduate from the University of Utah. Her younger son, Kaden Mesa, also received a scholarship. Christian is now a guest speaker with Folds of Honor at many functions, and he shares, “The Folds of Honor stepped into the shoes where my dad would have been.”

Folds of Honor has special partnerships with the NFL, Anheuser-Busch/Budweiser, Heinz, PGA, One Million Pints for Patriots at South Point Casino, and now Stockman’s Casino in Fallon, just to name a few. Funds collected in each state remain there to support the education of children and family members of fallen or injured military personnel and first responders—from kindergarten through graduate or trade school.

Pamela Kendall is so grateful for Folds of Honor. “Her children lost their father but were fortunate not to lose their education.” Last year they received 1,300 applications for education assistance, and proudly she said we were able to help them all with scholarships of up to $5,000.

To become involved with Folds of Honor or to host a fundraiser, email [email protected] or call 918-274-4700. To join their squadron, visit foldsofhonor.org (donations start at $13 per month), or text USA to 833-843-1313 to make a pledge.