It's said ?every dog has its day? ? and for canines who have helped U.S. soldiers during wartime, that day will soon be here.
A recently-issued proclamation by Gov. Rick Snyder designates Monday, March 13, as K-9 Veterans Day, and the community is invited to mark the new occasion with an 11 a.m. ceremony this Saturday at the War Dog Memorial pet cemetery in Lyon Township. The event will include placing a wreath at the monument, the playing of TAPS, a dedication reading, a flag line and more.
?All our military heroes and veterans are taken care of, but (military) dogs are considered expendable equipment. When the wars are over, dogs are left behind,? said U.S. Army Veteran Ken Reynolds, who contacted Snyder's office a few months ago in hopes of getting the designation established. ?They are veterans, too, (credited with) saving 10,000 lives in World War II and 10,000-15,000 lives in Vietnam.
?In Afghanistan (today) they have a very important mission, sniffing out roadside bombs then notifying their handlers who then check it out. This keeps people from getting killed,? he said. ?These dogs are soldiers, just like the two-legged soldiers.?
Reynolds, an officer with American Legion Post 346 in Farmington, got word a few weeks ago that the governor approved his request, and soon after he had an official document in hand.
He's also working on getting governors throughout the U.S. to follow suit, and his ultimate goal is to have K-9 Veterans Day established nationwide, recognized by Congress. So far, Florida, New Jersey and Tennessee have come on board with their own proclamations for March 13.
Saturday's event will honor all working dogs ? military as well as K-9 units with police departments, border patrol, FBI, and other service organizations ? and their handlers are encouraged to bring them to the ceremony.
U.S. Army Veteran Phil Weitlauf, who serves as second vice commander of American Legion Post 216 in Milford and is also a member of AmVets, is helping to organize Saturday's program. For the past two years, he has been instrumental in a volunteer effort to clean up the long-neglected site and ?bring it back to its former grandeur.?
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Following a dedication ceremony at the site in November, he and Reynolds decided to hold an annual event for the K-9 veterans and prepare a proclamation for the governor for his endorsement. March 13 is significant because it's the date in 1942 that the U.S. Army Quartermaster was given the order to secure dogs for defense, he explained. The ceremony is being held early, on Saturday, for convenience's sake ? and he's hoping for a great turnout.
?Everyone who has been touched by a dog would enjoy this event,? he said, adding that it's not commonly known that K-9 units continue to play a major role in the military.
?Not only are they our best friends, they are one of our best protectors. Every security force in the United States today is accompanied by a well-trained K-9,? Weitlauf said. ?Many men and women in uniform came home alive because of a K-9. We who are home safe and sound need to show our respect and honor these brave four-legged soldiers.?
The War Dog Memorial pet cemetery is at the 11 Mile and Milford roads in Lyon Township.
awingblad@hometownlife.com (248) 685-1507, Ext. 261
Source: http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120308/NEWS11/203080377/1028/rss08
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