Weekend Economists Take a Chance and Call a Bluff July 26-28, 2013

[bread_and_roses]

68. A real "War Horse" Heroine once ate $30 worth of poker chips

Came across this browsing - because anything about horses captures my eye:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57595835/sgt-reckless-korean-warhorse-who-aided-marines-immortalized-in-bronze/

The memorial statue is quite impressive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt_Reckless

Sergeant Reckless

Sergeant Reckless was a mare of Mongolian horse breeding who joined the United States Marine Corps on October 26, 1952,[1] as a pack horse, and was eventually promoted to Staff Sergeant by the Commandant of the Marine Corps after the Korean War.[2] Originally purchased for $250 by a soldier from a Korean boy who needed money to purchase an artificial leg for his sister, she served with the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.[3] Sergeant Reckless made 51 solo trips over a 5 day period in a March 1953 battle.[4] Her service record was featured in The Saturday Evening Post and LIFE magazine. She retired to the United States after the war and died in May 1968. A plaque was dedicated in her honor at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton stables and a statue of her was dedicated on July 26, 2013.

... the horse developed a rapport with the troops and she was allowed to freely roam about the camp, entering tents at will. Reckless had a gentle disposition and was fond of a wide variety of foodstuffs, entertaining the platoon by eating scrambled eggs and drinking Coca-Cola and beer.[12] Food could not be left unattended around her.[13] She once ate her horse blanket,[7] and on another occasion ate $30 worth of poker chips.[12]

...and that's it for me, today, I think .... have to go do something useful to get the taste of all the horrific news out of my mouth.