On Memorial Day, we honor and grieve soldiers who passed away while serving in the U.S. armed force. In San Antonio, there is another “soldier” we can keep in mind: the military working dog.
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland trains military working dogs for all branches of the Armed Forces. So, it’s just fitting that the Military Working Dog Team National Monument lies there. The monolith was the creation of John C. Burnam, an author of a number of books on military working dogs and a Vietnam veteran infantry soldier and handler of a military working dog called Clipper. Thanks to Burnam, he raised money for its production, and legislation for the monolith was signed into law in 2008. The memorial was revealed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Oct. 28, 2013.
If you have actually never ever seen it, the monolith includes a granite pedestal with 4 bigger than life, bronze sculptures of the types of military working dogs utilized given that World War II – the Doberman Pinscher, German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Belgian Malinois. It likewise includes a 9 foot working soldier/dog handler with a leash in one hand and a rifle in the other.
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Behind the pedestal is a granite wall. One side offers the history of the military working dog and the opposite reveals pictures of those dogs with their handlers from 5 wars given that World War II. Off to one side, surrounded by a green hedge, is the Not Forgotten Foundation, a bronze sculpture of a Vietnam war dog handler putting water from his canteen into his helmet. The dog’s paw rests on the soldier’s leg to represent their bond.
Laura Worsham of Wimberly was at the monolith that day participating in a reunion of the 366th Security Police Squadron Sentry Dog Handlers Unit of the Air Force who served in Vietnam. Her other half, John Henry Worsham, had actually served with his military working dog, King 150A. Her other half has actually given that passed away, however she rapidly remembered his opening night in Da Nang and relationship with King.
“They were at a bomb dump when a missile landed,” she said. “He spent the rest of the night putting out fires. John said he could always count on King to let him know danger was afoot. When King perked up his ears, John knew there was something there.”
When asked if King had actually ever saved John’s life, she said, “Yes, many times. But John wouldn’t talk about it. John always said King was his best friend and that he doesn’t know if he would have survived the war without him.”
These dogs not just safeguarded soldiers however were their pals too. I’m grateful there is a monolith that honors them both. To see the monolith, check out the Visitor’s Center at Luke East Gate at 2602 Luke Blvd., Lackland Air Force Base, for your visitor’s pass. It’s worth the journey to honor these canine soldiers.
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