Memorial set for military funeral ‘empty boots’ horse

EAST HAMPTON — The community is invited to a memorial service for a Morgan mare who made headlines when she, another horse and her owner walked 15 miles through the night to fulfill a commitment he made.

In November 2016, Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue of East Hampton welcomed a special animal who had served as the riderless horse (symbolically carrying empty boots reversed in the stirrups) at more than 700 military funerals over the past decade.

Melody and her owner, Marine Corps veteran Richard Kowalker, were made famous a few years ago when their trailer was damaged the night before they were due at a funeral for a former WWII Marine. Rick, Melody and a borrowed horse trekked 15 miles on foot through the night to fulfill their commitment. On the evening of June 16, a volunteer found Melody down at night check, according to a press release from Noreen Blaschik.

“Our vet administered medications and we tried helping her up for several hours. A YouTube video interview of her owner was even played so she could hear her daddy’s voice. She picked up her head and looked around for him, but then put it down and closed her eyes,” Blaschik said.

“Shortly before midnight, she passed away while she listened to her daddy’s voice on the video. We know that she will wait for him at the Rainbow Bridge. CDHR was honored to serve and comfort Melody in her final years. She had turned 33 years old this past spring,” she said.

A memorial service for Melody is planned June 30 at 11 a.m. at the CDHR farm at Autumn Ridge, 113 Chestnut Hill Road, East Hampton. It is open to the public.

Kowalker and his family have a matching gift of $50,000 if CDHR can raise that amount in donations. Funds will go toward the construction of a barn at Autumn Ridge which will include a display of his Marine dress blues, military saddle, and newspaper clippings with pictures to remember and honor the lives and service of the pair.

Donations to Memorial Fund for Melody the Military Funeral Horse can be sent through donorbox.org or by mail to CDHR, P.O. Box 273, East Hampton, CT, 06424.

Contributed photo Melody was an aged Morgan mare who served at more than 700 military funerals. Here she is with her owner, Marine Richard Kowalker in East Hampton.