MY WEBLOG

Thursday, September 29th

Open Letter to Vietnam Military Police Sentry Dog Handlers Alumni Members

From Gary Smith

Yesterday I went to Fort Leonard-Wood and Springfield Hotels, Ramada Oasis and Lamplighter Inn. I wanted to see what Fort Leonard-Wood had to offer us. I am pleased to tell you we could spend a whole day at the Fort without trying. I started with visiting the Military Police Museum. The MP Museum is housed in a central building with Transportation, Chemical and Engineer Museums. Each branch has its own wing. The MP Museum encompasses the full history of our Corps. There are static displays for each war/conflict with a brief description of what we are seeing. Unfortunately there is not much about dog handling during the Vietnam War. They do have a new display showing the equipment used by modern dog handlers. Boy things have changed. The only thing I saw for our era of dog handling was a manikin in an agitation suit. I fully enjoyed the museum. I am looking forward to viewing the other museums at a later date. I also saw several static displays outside, vehicles and WW II era wooden buildings that we were all so fond of in basic and AIT.

I went into the museum curator’s office and met with Rick Harne. He is very interested in having our group come to and visit our museum. He introduced me to the museum director Jim Rogers. Mr. Rogers and I discussed several historical things about dog handling. One of the things is they are interested in getting any uniforms, patches, equipment used during our tours, and pictures. Mr. Rogers told me they have a very highly sensitive scanner that they can make copies of pictures and digitalize the pictures for filing.They would return the original pictures as soon as they were scanned. I am going to give them my pictures so they can scan them.

Mr. Rogers then told me that the Military Police Regimental Association publishes a magazine by the same title quarterly. The last magazine was exclusively for dog handling. The front cover shows a dog and his handler at attention possibly in the early years of Vietnam. Mr. Rogers gave me a copy of the magazine. I wish I had asked for a couple more copies so I could send one to David Keeton so he could take excerpts out to put in our newsletter. I am going to join the Regimental Association so maybe I can get an extra copy. By the way, the museum is interested in all eras not just Vietnam, so pictures I have during other times in my career will also be scanned. Mr. Rogers showed me a file on the computer titled 212th. It was pictures scanned from the beginning of the 212th in the states to Vietnam. They were scanned from slides, so they can even scan slides.

I checked out the museum shop and the little shops at the PX. I swear I do not believe there is anything an old MP could want and could not buy. The museum shop had every type of hat, and shirt you can imagine and all with catchy phrases. The PX shops sell shirts, hats and plaques. I bought a full scale MP badge there. There are also all kinds of pieces of jewelry and Zippo lighters there that can be engraved. The Museum gift shop has its own website. The site displays all their merchandise.
I had a chance to talk to a post rep about things we could do at Fort Leonard-Wood. The things I asked about were to tour the kennels and maybe see a couple dogs and handlers in action. That sounded promising. I also heard they offer other tours to include eating at a dining facility for lunch.

After I left Fort Leonard-Wood I went to Springfield to check out a couple hotels. The first one I went to was the Ramada Oasis Convention Center. I had a very nice lunch there with Springfield’s Visitor Bureau representative. The Ramada is up to date hotel. The rooms are very well done. If we stay there I cannot imagine anyone having any problems. There are rooms with sliding door access to the pool and hot tub area. On the other side of the hallway are rooms that have sliding door access to an individual deck. The hospitality room that I liked has a view of the pool and hot tub area. The ballroom is adequate for our group they can accommodate our special needs i.e. Table of Honor for our Fallen Comrades and a DJ area. We discussed a bar for the banquet. I think we could use the regular bar for our drinks before and during the banquet since it is close to our banquet area. I also discovered that every room gets access to a complimentary breakfast bar that includes eggs potatoes, cereal and juices and meat served near the pool. I am thinking for our Sunday breakfast banquet/farewell, we get our food from the complimentary breakfast bar and then bring it up to the hospitality room where we can sit around to say our good-byes.

The other hotel Lamplighter Inn is nice. They are in the remodeling mode. The facility is smaller. The rooms are nice. The hospitality room is well located with other facilities in the hotel. There prices and amenities are comparable to the Ramada. They also offer complimentary breakfast bar and are willing to allow us to get our food and take it back to the hospitality room Sunday. I have not made a decision yet because I am waiting to see what our members think about Springfield.

Another money saver I would like to use is we receive a complimentary room night for each 30 nights reserved from either hotel. In other words if we have ten rooms reserved for three nights that equates to 30 nights. I would like to offer up the complimentary rooms perks to the 50/50 drawing. A winner would get one night or more depending on how many times he/she wins and how many complimentary room nights are available.

[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 09.29.11 @ 07:43 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Friday, August 19th

Reunion Survey

Dear Fellow Doghandlers;

I pray all is well with you and your families. My name is Gary Smith. I am writing to you through our newsletter to get your thoughts about the next reunion. I am really reluctant to even try to sponsor another reunion after the past three reunions. Each one has been a huge success. But if you guys and gals are willing, then I am willing to try to put another one on.

I would like to offer a suggestion for the location for the next reunion. My suggestion is Springfield, MO. I know there is a lot of questions about what is in Springfield and where in the heck is Springfield. Springfield, MO is located in the Southwest portion of Missouri. It is located along Interstate 44.
Why Springfield? Springfield is large enough city to get to fairly easy either by road or air. Just an hour and half Northeast from Springfield on I-44 is Fort Leonard-Wood, MO, the home of the Military Police Corps. The official Military Police Corps Museum is also located there. I know they have at least one static display dedicated to Sentry Dog Handlers. The museum also has several displays dating back to Vietnam.

Another reason for Springfield is just one half hour South of Springfield on US65 (four lane highway) is Branson, MO. Several guys have asked if I am suggesting a location so close to Branson, why not Branson for the reunion. Springfield has a medium size commercial airport served by several major airlines. Springfield is close to Branson, which allows easy access to Branson but without being caught up in the lure of the shows all the time and taking away from the actual reason for the reunion. In other words those that want to go to the shows can and those that want to just stay and sit around swapping stories can do both.

I have previously mentioned Springfield has a commercial airport and a major interstate, well Springfield also has the original Bass Pro Shop which has its own museum. Near Springfield is also a National Park dedicated to one of the major battles of the civil war west of the Mississippi. Also nearby is Carthage, MO home of Precious Moments, the Precious Moments Chapel is a must see. Just down the road from Carthage is a National Monument located at one of George Washington Carver‘s homes.

I have mentioned as a positive point that Springfield has a commercial airport. I also know that airline prices are very high to fly into airports the size of Springfield. As I understand it Springfield gets service from Dallas, Chicago, Saint Louis, Tulsa and Kansas City from major airlines. If airline prices are cost prohibitive for some, maybe flying into Tulsa or Saint Louis and renting a car to drive to Springfield would fit their budget. Tulsa and Saint Louis are about three hours away on I-44 in opposite directions. Kansas City is about three hours away via US 71, a major four lane highway.

Why this letter? I want to know how much if any interest is there in having our next reunion in the Ozarks, Springfield, MO. There is plenty of hotels in Springfield for us to have our reunion at. I am going down to Springfield late this autumn to check out the hotels if there is interest in having the reunion there. I only ask you let me know if you would attend the reunion if held Springfield. I would try to keep the cost around $90.00 for rooms per night and the two meals around $60.00 I envisioned a registration fee which encompasses the booze and snacks and hospitality room would be in the ball park of $30.00. I did a preliminary check for ground transportation to and from Fort Leonard-Wood on a day tour . It would be around $30.00 per person, keep in mind the cost of fuel continues to go up and 2013 is almost two years away.

If interested please contact me by any of the following: e-mail: puppypusher@att.net,
cell: 713-614-2503, you can leave a brief message on my voice mail, or just write me at
Gary S. Smith
22108 W. 64th Terrace
Shawnee, KS 66226-3704

You can also talk to Dave Keeton, Larry Majeski, Jack Duffle, or Ray Rogers about the 2013 reunion. Their addresses and phone numbers are on the web site or in past issues of the newsletter.
Please let us know what you think. Even if it is yes or no. Your thoughts matter.

Thanks,

[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 08.19.11 @ 10:01 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Thursday, July 7th

War Dogs - A great story!

Dan Byrd 65'/66' - 212th sent this story to me and I thought it would be a great link to post for any members that want to read about current deployment of Military Dogs.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/05/04/war_dog?page=0,1

Thanks Dan!
[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 07.07.11 @ 09:16 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Tuesday, April 19th

2012 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.

Yes, We are already working on the 2012 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade. We expect up to three very special guests to be walking with us this year. The families of three fallen military canine handlers.

The family of Colton Rusk, Orange Grove, TX. Colton was killed in early December 2010 when he was shot by a sniper. His dog, Eli, covered Colton and had to be dragged off for medics to get to him. In February, 2011, the Marines retired his dog, Eli, and gave him to the family. Eli will accompany the Rusks to Phoenix and walk in the parade.

The family of William Crouse IV, originally from Fort Wayne, IN and living in South Carolina at the time of his death. In December, 2010, "Billy" and his dog, Cane, were approaching an IED. The Taliban deliberately detonated the bomb mortally wounding Billy, and killing Cane. As he was being loaded onto the helicopter, Billy called out for Cane to be put on the chopper with him. He died later.

The family of Dustin Lee is considering a return to the parade with Dustin's dog, Lex. Dustin was killed in March 2007 when an RPG round exploded. The Lee family was the first family allowed to adopt their son's dog. They were here for the 2008 Veterans Day Parade.

I not only want to honor these families for their sacrifice, and let them know their sons are not forgotten, but I would like to help these families ease their travel and lodging expenses here. I'm asking each of you to possibly consider a donation of $5.00, 10.00 or 20.00, whatever you see fit. Names and addresses will be kept confidential except to the families. Donations can be mailed to Jim Frost, 3713 E Yale St, Phoenix, AZ 85008. If this falls thru, donations will be returned unless you specify the money to go to the Parade Fund or to the Military Working Dog National Monument, as outlined on http://www.jbmf.us

I thank each of you who reads this and considers helping out. As always, any and all of your are invited to participate in the parade with the Salute to the Military Canine Entry.

[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 04.19.11 @ 10:37 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Friday, April 15th

Terry M Chaffins 68'/69' 981st - Deceased

An email from Terry M Chaffins daughter, on the passing of her father...

On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 10:39 AM, Rebecca Chaffins wrote:

I was looking at the 68' - 69' 981st Roster and found my fathers name, Terry M Chaffins. I just wanted to inform you that he is deceased. He passed away on July 12th, 2003.

He is greatly missed!

Thank you,

Rebecca C Chaffins
[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 04.15.11 @ 09:55 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Saturday, April 9th

Prayers go out to Marine Cpl. Kenny Kalish, a Dog Handler in Afghanistan

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marine Cpl. Kenny Kalish a Dog Handler in Afghanistan. While searching for IEDs on foot patrol, Kenny had been blown up. He was due to come home in just a month.

Marine Cpl. Kenny Kalish lost both legs, and he's lost his left arm and is in a coma. Doctors were working to stabilize him Friday night. Once that's done, he'll be flown to a hospital in Germany, and then hopefully stateside. His family is devastated...

Marine Cpl. Kenny Kalish is from Tomball, Texas.

Read More: http://www.khou.com/news/119523314.html

[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 04.09.11 @ 11:55 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Sunday, March 27th

Photos of the 2011 San Antonio Reunion

I have posted photos of the 2011 San Antonio Reunion, that was forwarded to us by Don Ristine.

Thanks again Don for your time in taking these photos, and making them available to the Membership.

Photos are on the Photo Gallery page, listed under "Sentry Dog Reunions".

http://sentrydogalumni.us/photos.htm
[Karma: 0 (+/-)] webmaster on 03.27.11 @ 01:52 AM CST [link] [No Comments]