Special Ks

They stood tall in the middle of a Casper rodeo arena last weekend forming a line of very special “ks” – Kaleb, Kanin and Klayton Asay – each rail thin and over six-feet tall. Their last name is pronounced “A-see.” What we all could see and feel, through a teary haze once the singer began her version of “God Bless America,” was unabashed pride in our flag, our country, and our young people. Brothers Kaleb and Kanin were there to compete in the rodeo. Klayton was standing on turned American soil one more night before readying himself for a second tour of duty in the Middle East. None of the young men has reached twenty-five years on this earth. Klayton can’t talk about his job in the military. Word does spread nonetheless that he is a Special Forces Interrogator. Whatever his task you can be assured Klayton does it with honor. He is strong of mind, body and spirit – clearly a family trait.

Kaleb Asay is fast becoming a cowboy to watch in professional saddle bronc riding competition. He’s off to such a start that he has just been named rookie-of-the-year in his event.

Kanin Asay is one of pro rodeo’s best bull riders. He could have stayed home following a serious injury in early July. Kanin went head-to-head with a big bull several times. He remembers very little. Onlookers say there were probably four head bashings and Kanin was flopped to the side where he was hung-up and thrashed about mercilessly before going to the dirt and suffering further punishment from the bull’s powerful legs. A helicopter rushed Kanin to a Portland, Oregon hospital. A ruptured spleen was removed. There was an ear to reset since it was half torn off. An eye socket was smashed. But Kanin awoke determined to ride again. And by the latter part of September he was back at his chosen profession. Kanin Asay will return to the national finals next month in Las Vegas. He has a very long stretch of stitching from breastbone to navel but confidence is lighting his eyes again. His stride is long and straight. His Christian beliefs light every day.

He now dutifully dons a helmet which has already proved an invaluable addition to his gear. His helmeted hero, brother Klayton, is back in harm’s way. The least Kanin will do is ride his best and pray for Klayton. After all, Kanin can learn about and prepare for each bull. Klayton faces a mysterious enemy in a foreign land where no amount of training or experience insures a safe landing back in this country.

As the Asay men of Powell, Wyoming strained under the spotlight Saturday night and the singer – a veteran paratrooper in Desert Storm – gave her American song life, the brothers’ grandfather let tears stream down his face. He was not alone.