Mom and Marine veteran son share anthem moment at IFYR

  • U. S. Marine Veteran, Sgt. Jonathan Wright, pauses for a photo. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    U. S. Marine Veteran, Sgt. Jonathan Wright, pauses for a photo. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
  • U.S. Marine Veteran, Sgt. Jonathan Wright, stands at attention in Arena #2, as his mother, Maria Wright, sings the national anthem to kick off the championship round of the IFYR on July 17. Miss Teen Rodeo Violet Camerino of CA rode out with the American flag. While on active duty in South Carolina, Wright had videos shared to him of his mother singing the anthem for the last 14 years, but he finally got to see her performance in person. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun
    U.S. Marine Veteran, Sgt. Jonathan Wright, stands at attention in Arena #2, as his mother, Maria Wright, sings the national anthem to kick off the championship round of the IFYR on July 17. Miss Teen Rodeo Violet Camerino of CA rode out with the American flag. While on active duty in South Carolina, Wright had videos shared to him of his mother singing the anthem for the last 14 years, but he finally got to see her performance in person. Natasha Dunagan, Countywide & Sun

    The “Star Spangled Banner,” our national anthem, is sung or played at most sporting or patriotic holiday events. But, on the evening of Friday, July 17, when it was sung for the final performance of the 2026 International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR), it was a special moment that one mother and son will both hold dear.

    In Arena #2, where the audience would soon see the breakaway and calf roping events…