Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
My wife Megan and I were honored this fall to attend a fundraiser in support of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument.
What a great idea! A monument for our dog teams isn’t just an idea any longer.
Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina initiated Congressional legislation for a national monument for military working dogs, It passed the U.S. House and Senate and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on January 28, 2008. Raising the public funds needed to make it happen is now a critical objective.
“It is the first time in the U.S. military history that the U.S. Congress has elevated an animal, a dog, to national monument status by law, and the only National Monument featuring a current day dog handler.” John Burnam, President of JBMF.
At the fundraiser we had the honor of meeting a real American hero, MSG (Ret) John Burnam, author of Dog Tags of Courage and A Soldier’s Best Friend. John has also been featured in the History Channel’s War Dog special. He is a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran and tireless advocate of our Military Working Dog Teams. If you are interested in learning more about the monument check out the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument website or Facebook page.
Be sure to check out their bronze art work. You can order replicas of the monument.
Below is another cool photo I took of a dog team training for a deployment to Afghanistan. That pup looks excited to get to work! He looks like John’s dog Clipper from Vietnam.
18 comments on “Military Working Dog Teams National Monument”
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This is a great Idea. The more we honor these amazing animals, the better I like it. My kid brother Doug Roper sculpted a War Dog Memorial that is now in Long Island New York. At his web-site with a photo of the memorial it says: The sculpture depicts a German Shepherd as if it’s ready to step into the unknown danger ahead.
The monument is dedicated to all the K-9 Soldiers, WAR DOGS OF AMERICA, who have served this nation faithfully and well from the Revolutionary War to the present day as scouts, sentries, and members of search and rescue teams. Serving in all branches of the armed forces, these courageous canines have saved thousands of soldiers, often at the cost of their own lives, and have brought a touch of home to the madness of the battlefield.
This bronze is two times life-size and stands 48 inches tall from the paw to the shoulder. It is mounted on a granite base. It was installed in the spring of 2005, in a park in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York
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Kevin Hanrahan says:
That is really cool. I had heard about the memorial but haven’t seen it yet in person. You are so right about the impact these 4-legged heroes make for our country. It is definitely time to honor them with a national monument.
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As a side note, the dog that was the live model for the statue was
“Tsunami” and was one of the rescue dogs at the twin towers on 9/11. Tsunami is the only non-seeing eye dog allowed into the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas and his paw-print is registered in the guest of honor book, just below the name of Prince Phillip. My brother said that Tsunami was a great dog to work with.-
That is so cool! What breed of dog is Tsunami?
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GM Roper says:
I’m not sure, German Shepard I believe. I’ll ask my brother and get back to you.
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Thanks….just curious.
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They are finalizing the location for the site right now. The foundation is also working hard to seek donations for funding. They want the memorial to be funded 100% from donations and zero tax dollars.
That is truly amazing Kevin, and rightly so that they too should be honoured in this way. You and your wife must have been delighted. Keep up your amazing work. You are a true inspiration to thousands 
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Thanks Dawn. Do you guys have anything like this in the UK?
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There is already an Animals in War monument in London Kevin. You’ll find details of its hiatory and photos at http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/ It honours dogs, horses and mules in particular.
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Kevin
It is honorable work you and your wife are involved in. I really like the statue picture and the excitiment in the other dogs face. Animals bring humans much encounter, joy and help. Thank you for sharing. Honors to you and yours.
Adriana Villafane-Johnson
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Thank You Adriana. John and his folks are the true heroes of this movement. All we can do is cheer them on and support as needed.
Sally Lowen says: We have a retired MWD. Mirza is a Belgian Malinois who was in Iraq for 5 years. So smart, so loving – she seems to be enjoying her retirement at age 8. Keep up your great work for these heros.
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What a great age to retire! Hopefully she’ll have lots of time to enjoy it!
This is awesome! It’s about time that our furry heroes get some recognition as well.
Thank you for sharing!
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Completely agree Sarah!
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This is a great Idea. The more we honor these amazing animals, the better I like it. My kid brother Doug Roper sculpted a War Dog Memorial that is now in Long Island New York. At his web-site with a photo of the memorial it says: The sculpture depicts a German Shepherd as if it’s ready to step into the unknown danger ahead.
The monument is dedicated to all the K-9 Soldiers, WAR DOGS OF AMERICA, who have served this nation faithfully and well from the Revolutionary War to the present day as scouts, sentries, and members of search and rescue teams. Serving in all branches of the armed forces, these courageous canines have saved thousands of soldiers, often at the cost of their own lives, and have brought a touch of home to the madness of the battlefield.
This bronze is two times life-size and stands 48 inches tall from the paw to the shoulder. It is mounted on a granite base. It was installed in the spring of 2005, in a park in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York
That is really cool. I had heard about the memorial but haven’t seen it yet in person. You are so right about the impact these 4-legged heroes make for our country. It is definitely time to honor them with a national monument.
As a side note, the dog that was the live model for the statue was
“Tsunami” and was one of the rescue dogs at the twin towers on 9/11. Tsunami is the only non-seeing eye dog allowed into the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas and his paw-print is registered in the guest of honor book, just below the name of Prince Phillip. My brother said that Tsunami was a great dog to work with.
That is so cool! What breed of dog is Tsunami?
I’m not sure, German Shepard I believe. I’ll ask my brother and get back to you.
Thanks….just curious.
Very cool! I’ll have to visit the monument someday.
They are finalizing the location for the site right now. The foundation is also working hard to seek donations for funding. They want the memorial to be funded 100% from donations and zero tax dollars.
That is truly amazing Kevin, and rightly so that they too should be honoured in this way. You and your wife must have been delighted. Keep up your amazing work. You are a true inspiration to thousands
Thanks Dawn. Do you guys have anything like this in the UK?
There is already an Animals in War monument in London Kevin. You’ll find details of its hiatory and photos at http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/ It honours dogs, horses and mules in particular.
Kevin
It is honorable work you and your wife are involved in. I really like the statue picture and the excitiment in the other dogs face. Animals bring humans much encounter, joy and help. Thank you for sharing. Honors to you and yours.
Adriana Villafane-Johnson
Thank You Adriana. John and his folks are the true heroes of this movement. All we can do is cheer them on and support as needed.
We have a retired MWD. Mirza is a Belgian Malinois who was in Iraq for 5 years. So smart, so loving – she seems to be enjoying her retirement at age 8. Keep up your great work for these heros.
What a great age to retire! Hopefully she’ll have lots of time to enjoy it!
This is awesome! It’s about time that our furry heroes get some recognition as well.
Thank you for sharing!
Completely agree Sarah!
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