On a cool, clear day at Washington D.C.’s Navy Memorial Plaza, veterans, supporters, and navy working canine handlers from all branches of service gathered to pay tribute to a few of America’s most unsung heroes. Canines have been very important navy service members since World Warfare II however not often obtain the popularity they deserve.
The United States Warfare Canine Affiliation (USWDA) is dedicated to altering that. This yr, they held the first-ever K9 Veterans Day celebration to honor the abilities, service, and sacrifice of navy Ok-9s in addition to their handlers, trainers, help workers, and households.
K9 Veterans Day
After a wonderful rendition of The Nationwide Anthem by United States Secret Service Ok-9 Handler Beth Hartman and a heartfelt blessing from retired Sergeant Al Brenner of america Marine Corps, USWDA president Chris Willingham took the rostrum. Willingham is a retired Marine Corps Grasp Sergeant who devoted nearly all of his 20-year profession to the Army Working Canine (MWD) Program.
“K9 Veterans Day is right here to rejoice the start of the K9 Corps, which was March 13, 1942,” Willingham started. “It began with ‘Canines for Protection,’ who would prepare and procure the canines for navy service. From that time on, they (navy K9s) have confirmed to be a pressure multiplier in each climb and place. Whether or not it’s the island-hopping campaigns of World Warfare II, the frozen tundras of Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, or the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, if there are troops on the bottom, the K9 has a mission.”
Throughout his speech, Willingham praised the unimaginable adaptability of navy working canines. The 5 canine handlers who established USWDA served in Vietnam. Throughout that battle, K9s had been primarily used for scouting missions, sentry responsibility, mine and tunnel detection, and water patrols. Whereas Willingham served within the Center East, canines of conflict grew to become important for sniffing out improvised explosive gadgets (IEDs) that may in any other case take out complete squads.
The US navy developed a process pressure referred to as the Joint IED Defeat Group to sort out this menace. Nonetheless, as Willingham proudly identified, regardless of “six years and $19 billion, they may not beat the capabilities of a well-trained canine group.”
Equally priceless to the life-saving companies they supply, K9s provide unconditional love and loyalty. The bond shaped from one finish of the leash to the opposite lasts nicely past the times of conflict.
MWDs Are A lot Extra Than Simply “Gear”
Army working canines are service members and obtain a rank similar to their handlers, however they aren’t acknowledged as troopers by the Protection Division. As an alternative, they’re thought-about gear, similar to weapons or tanks. Earlier than the passage of Robby’s Legislation in 2000, MWDs had been typically euthanized or left behind on the battlefield.
Now, canines “appropriate for adoption” have to be made accessible for placement after their service. Whereas 90% of retired MWDs discover eternally houses with their handlers, challenges nonetheless come up. It may be troublesome and costly to move canines residence from abroad, and canine veterans face lots of the similar bodily and emotional casualties of conflict, together with arthritis and PTSD.
With no pension or medical insurance coverage, these prices fall to the handler or adopter. That is why USWDA’s mission is so essential.
The US Warfare Canines Affiliation Helps Army Working Canines & Their Handlers
USWDA works to make sure that no canine is left behind. Whether or not offering important gear and care packages to canine groups abroad or transporting veteran conflict canines again to the U.S. after their service, they see that navy K9s get the remedy, respect, and recognition they’ve so valiantly earned.
Assist USWDA Make a Distinction within the Lives of Retired MWDs
Retired working canines affected by sicknesses and the results of previous accidents are eligible for a free prescription drug program and obtain assist with their veterinary payments. They’re honored for his or her service with awards, such because the PDSA Dickin Medal, which was introduced to US Marine Corps Particular Operations Command Canine Bass on the D.C. ceremony. And they’re given one remaining salute due to USWDA’s Rainbow Bridge Help Program.
USWDA additionally ensures that retired working canines discover loving houses wherein to spend their retirement, whether or not it’s with their navy handlers or new adoptive households.
“America’s navy working canines give their greatest years to make sure our freedom, US Warfare Canines is right here to present these heroic Ok-9s the liberty to take pleasure in their well-deserved retirement.” – USWarDogs.com
How We Can Assist
Due to purchases made by iHeartDogs and Hero Firm clients, we had been in a position to make a $2,500 donation to the US Warfare Canines Affiliation to assist them proceed their mission. Just like the Hero Firm, USWDA additionally helps fund service canines for Veterans with disabling medical situations.
You, too, can help USWDA as they proceed to assist navy working canines all through their lifetime and through their well-earned retirement.
