Alabama War Dogs Memorial Dedication 11/11/08
Veterans Day, November 11th, 2008, at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama, a tribute was unveiled to canines that have served as alert dogs in the military. The four-ton granite slab supports statues depicting a war dog, his handler and other soldiers. The marble back side contains a listing of war dogs associated with handlers from Alabama. In front of the piece are boot prints made from an actual soldier's footwear, along with paw prints. The idea, said John O'Malley, is that visitors can more easily identify with the men and the dogs that have faced great danger during battle. O'Malley, president of the Alabama War Dog Memorial Foundation, said the $58,000 memorial took six months to design.
The AWDM dedication ceremony was a great success; it was a special day for Alabama dog handlers, their day, to receive recognition for their service to the country. The day was also to pay homage to the military working dogs (War Dogs) that served by their side and continue to serve with America's armed forces around the world. We salute them, one and all.
AWDM Board members are working diligently to raise the remaining funds to payoff the Alabama War Dogs Memorial erected at the U.S.S. Alabama Memorial Battleship Park in Mobile, Alabama, on Veterans Day 2008. The memorial depicts an actual Alabama war dog team in action - Little Joe, a German Shepherd and his Alabamian handler, Charles Wade Franks, and other combat patrol riflemen. Little Joe-our mascot-gave his life saving those men on February 22, 1970 in Vietnam.
One of only a handful of memorials like it across the nation, the memorial honors the dogs and their handlers who have faithfully served and continue to protect the men and women in our nation's armed forces. Dog teams have served most prominently since the early 20th century. For more information or to make a donation, please visit the memorial project on line at www.awdm.org.
Thank you for reading this and remembering our canine heros. - Webmaster
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