GREENSBORO, N.C. – On Friday night inside First Horizon Coliseum, during the opening night of Carolina Cowboy Days, the spotlight shifted from the dirt and the bucking chutes to sacrifice and service. The Be Cowboy Award, presented by Horse Soldier Bourbon, honored Amy Dozier, a Gold Star spouse from North Carolina whose resilience has turned heartbreak into a mission of hope.

“Gold Star” is a title no one asks for. It is given to the surviving families of U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country. Dozier became a Gold Star spouse in 2008, when her husband, Sgt. Jonathan Kilian Dozier, was killed by a makeshift bomb in Iraq. With her young daughter at her side, she leaned on her community to navigate the darkest of days. Out of that pain grew a fire to serve others — a mission to ensure that no family who shares this burden ever walks alone.

Dozier became a mentor for other war widows and an advocate for Gold Star and veteran families across the country. Today, she serves as outreach and education programs director for the Woody Williams Foundation, helping provide Gold Star families with resources, connections and opportunities, including Living Legacy scholarships for children and spouses.

The award was presented by Rob Schaefer, a Horse Soldier Bourbon ambassador and retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer. Schaefer helped plan the first mission against al-Qaida following 9/11, a horseback campaign in Afghanistan that inspired the “Horse Soldier” name and the America’s Response Monument at Ground Zero. His presence underscored the bond between warriors, cowboys and the code that drives both.

Dozier’s journey has been shaped by the same organizations that once lifted her up. She has worked with TAPS, Tuesday’s Children and Veterans Bridge Home, deepening her passion for trauma-informed care and post-traumatic growth. With degrees in social psychology and public affairs, she brings both expertise and empathy to her role.

Her reach extends beyond U.S. borders. In 2023, Dozier represented Gold Star families at the Women’s World Peace Conference in Paris, connecting with survivors and advocates from around the world. Whether mentoring a fellow widow, creating systems of support for veterans, or speaking on resilience, her message rings clear: Healing happens through connection.

Dozier’s story reflects the cowboy code — courage, integrity and an unshakable commitment to others. Whether leading outreach efforts, advocating for survivors, or simply being a source of strength in her community, she embodies what it means to Be Cowboy.

As the Greensboro crowd rose to its feet, the applause honored more than sacrifice. It honored Dozier’s determination to transform grief into service, proving that resilience can ride alongside heartbreak.

From all of us at PBR and Horse Soldier Bourbon, thank you, Amy Dozier, for reminding us what it truly means to Be Cowboy.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media