11/03/2013: "National Military Working Dog Monument Dedication Ceremony"

On Monday, October 28, 2013, the military canine was officially honored and remembered for their loyalty, courage, dedication and the lives they have saved. The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was officially dedicated and presented to the citizens of this country at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. I was proud to have played a role in getting this project done.

It was a long journey with many bumps along the road. The concept started with one man - John Burnam - who was a US Army Scout Dog Handler in Vietnam. John never forgot his experiences with his dogs, first Timber and then Clipper. They saved his life on numerous occasions as well as the lives of countless soldiers. John wrote his book "Dog Tags of Courage" not only to tell of his experiences but to honor his dogs and to recognize their valuable contribution. From that the idea of a National Monument was born….a way to honor ALL canines who have served at the side of a military working dog handler. I first met John in 2004 when he was in Phoenix and immediately got on his side for this project. Congressman Walter Jones of North Carolina sponsored legislation to create this project and also to designate it as a true "National" monument. I did what I could to help with funding. I set up a booth showing the history and some of the heroes of the Military Working Dog Program. I pitched it at dog shows, pet expo's, and police canine events. I sold t-shirts, caps, John's book, and had a donation jar. Everything I made went to the Monument fund. People supported this project in ways I never imagined. I remember a woman putting in a 100.00 bill in the jar and not wanting anything in return. A man placing 200.00 in it and finally accepting a t-shirt. I remember the kids coming up and putting a dollar in that their parents gave them. Still, I remember thinking that it would take years to get the funding for this Monument. In 2011, John informed me that Natural Balance Pet Food, PetCo, and Maddie's Fund came on board to sponsor various parts of this Monument. We knew then it would become a reality and even in our lifetime!!

The Monument depicts the four most common breeds used since World War II. The Doberman Pinscher from the Pacific theater in that war. The German Shepherd Dog, the official breed since 1958 and our dog in Vietnam. The Labrador Retriever used so much for IED detection today, and the Belgian Malinois, so much like its German Shepherd cousin. A key part of the Monument is the "Not Forgotten" fountain, depicting a soldier in Vietnam fatigues pouring water into his canteen for his dog to drink from. It represents the bond between a handler and his dog, and specifically honors our dogs from the Vietnam era. As I told my fellow Nam veterans who attended this ceremony "Your dogs came home today."

This Monument is open to the public. 750 people attended the dedication and already teams that are training at Lackland are posing at the Monument for their graduation photos. There is a procedure for getting onto Lackland AFB and these will be posted on the Facebook page for our group.

I am unable to post the instructions that Jim mentions. The instructions are on Facebook. If you cannot get access to Facebook contact me at puppypusher@att.net. I will tell you the instructions.
Gary