Latest news with #CowboyDave
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veteran known as ‘Cowboy Dave' brings hope to tornado survivors
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — When disaster strikes, most people run from the chaos. Cowboy Dave runs toward it. Dave Graham, better known as 'Cowboy Dave,' is a military veteran on a mission — traveling across the country in a pickup truck and camper, bringing comfort to communities hit by crisis. His latest stop: London, Kentucky, where an EF-4 tornado tore through homes, lives, and livelihoods just weeks ago. Investigation underway after KSP trooper shoots, kills man Veteran known as 'Cowboy Dave' brings hope to tornado survivors Lancaster native hopes to put an end to 'period poverty' in Kentucky 'I move in with the community — as close to the disaster as I can,' Dave said. 'I live with them. I feel it. And they sense that. They know it's genuine.' With his trademark cowboy hat and ever-open camper door, Dave stands out. But it's his presence, not his appearance, that leaves the biggest impact. Through his nonprofit, Hearts Hurt, Cowboy Dave has responded to more than 30 major disasters, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Maui fires, and flooding in Eastern Kentucky. What sets him apart? He does it all on his own dime, using his military pension to fund the mission. 'People knock on my camper and say, 'Cowboy, you want to talk?' I'm like, 'Absolutely,'' he said. 'It's a military thing — you do what it takes, for as long as it takes.' Airbnb generates an estimated $590 million in Kentucky in 2024 Study shows Kentucky among the poorest states Kentucky's most misspelled word, according to study Local residents say his arrival brought an unexpected sense of calm. 'Oh, he's a character,' said Matthew Cawood, who survived the recent tornado. 'It can be pouring rain and he's out there, waving at cars and talking to everyone, saying, 'Bring your Bible or bring your beer, I'll take you either way.' He just gets people.' Cowboy Dave's work isn't about recognition. It's about restoration — of hope, of humanity, and of hearts that hurt. 'When you create life in the middle of death and disaster, people are drawn to it,' he said. 'It's been a blessing for me. But it's not about me — it's about them.' Latest central Kentucky weather forecast As long as there's a need, Cowboy Dave said he'll keep showing up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ohio man hopes to heal hurting hearts in wake of London tornado devastation
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Around the destroyed areas in London are spray-painted signs with messages of hope. The responsible man sits on Keavy Road, just steps away from the destruction of the tornado. He tips his cowboy hat to folks passing by. His name is David Graham, but he is better known as 'Cowboy Dave.' 'God has put on my heart to share people's burdens, and that's what I do,' he said. Cowboy Dave is the founder of Hearts Hurt. For more than 20 years, he's gone out to more than 40 natural disasters across the country, delivering supplies to people in need. Madisonville man accused of watching porn with 10-year-old in room University of Kentucky students release first-ever bourbon brand Temporary trailers arrive in London for displaced tornado survivors But more than that, he's acted as a friend and a source of support for people during the hardest times of their lives. 'Everyone has seen me since the first full day, and they'll see me for another 30 days,' he said. 'People might've wondered, is this guy homeless? Is he in town? Is he a contractor? Is he a lawyer? What's his deal? And eventually they come to realize Cowboy cares. I really do.' Next to his setup sits a row of white wooden crosses. They stand at about three feet tall. Each one has the name of a life taken by the tornado. 'It's about the people and the names on here. And the fact that not only did people die here, but people's spirits died here, and their hopes died here,' Cowboy Dave told FOX 56. Read more of the latest Kentucky news He said the crosses were put in place by people from North Carolina who were moved by the help they received from Kentuckians in the past after natural disasters of their own. Cowboy Dave said he's not going anywhere. 'I said I'm right here. If something blows down, a flag gets crooked, anything. If people need help, I will be here. I'll make sure until they take their cross away. I'll be here until the last cross is gone.' As the debris clears and headlines fade, Cowboy Dave will live up to the mission printed on the side of his truck: 'Hurting hearts do not have to hurt forever.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
