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Old 11-01-2021, 12:41 PM
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Thumbs up U.S. Navy Memorial unveils statue honoring war dogs, first in nation’s capital

U.S. Navy Memorial unveils statue honoring war dogs, first in nation’s capitalBy: Sean Salai - The Washing Times News - 11-01-21
Re: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...ing-war-dogs-/

Photo link: https://twt-thumbs.washtimes.com/med...5735b0383247f6
Navy SEAL John Douangdara and his Belgian Malinois war dog, Bart, are depicted in a larger-than-life bronze statue that the U.S. Navy Memorial will unveil on Veterans Day. (Jeff Malet/U.S. Navy Memorial)

The U.S. Navy Memorial on Veteran’s Day will unveil a new sculpture in honor of military war dogs, the first of its kind in the nation’s capital.

The statue will permanently join exhibits at the memorial’s visitors center in recognition of all “men and women of the sea services” and “the canines who fought and died for our country,” sculptor Susan Bahary told The Washington Times.

“Let’s face it, they are part of the military as well,” Ms. Bahary said.

The bronze statue depicts Navy sailor John Douangdara and his Belgian Malinois, Bart. Both died when the Taliban shot down their helicopter in an August 2011 attack that killed all 29 service members aboard, including 17 Navy SEALS.

Modeled on a photograph taken in Afghanistan, the larger-than-life statue depicts the sailor seated with his right hand holding a gun and his left hand touching the dog.

Douangdara, the lead dog handler for Seal Team Six, had prepped Bart as a “force multiplier” to assist with a rescue operation on the day they died.

“The Navy Memorial is proud that we will host the statue honoring Petty Officer Douangdara and Military Working Dog Bart, both of whom gave their lives for the United States,” said retired Rear Adm. Frank Thorp, president and CEO of the memorial.

Ms. Bahary previously designed the nation’s first official war dog memorial, a life-sized bronze statue of a Doberman titled “Always Faithful.” That statue was unveiled at the Pentagon and installed in the National War Dogs Cemetery at Naval Base Guam in 1994.

Familiar with her work, the U.S. War Dogs Association commissioned her last year to create the statue of Douangdara and Bart.


Chris Willingham, president of the nonprofit association, said the petty officer and his dog died “three months after Osama Bin Laden was killed, during a dangerous time in Afghanistan.”

“There were several candidates worthy of recognition and honor, but John and Bart just kept coming up. You have to be at the top of your game as a well-developed dog team to work with Seals,” he said.

Mr. Willingham, who worked with a war dog himself while serving 20 years in the Marine Corps, added that the statue complements the association’s work of covering prescription medications for 1,100 retired war dogs.

Ms. Bahary, who resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, has sculpted animals for 30 years and said it took her about a year to finish the new statue.

She said the Belgian Malinois, similar to the German shepherd, is the most common breed in the U.S. military today because of its ability to “go into small places and carry complex equipment with cameras and radio devices.”

“They are just very eager to work, a little lighter than a German shepherd, easier to carry and a little faster. They can do things with their keen sense of smell, hearing, size and agility to get ahold of the enemy and save lives in the process,” she said.

However, war dogs like Bart rarely get much publicity when they die on the battlefield or “retire” from the military into adoptive families.

“We’re trying to get official medals for the dogs, but that has not happened yet,” Ms. Bahary said.

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Personal note: This long overdue - they have protected and were well trained dog's who've sacrificed themselves as well as saved their caretaker's. Many dog's have been used in
many wars over the years. The are early warning animals that has senses 10 fold better
than man.

What states recognize K9 Veterans Day?
Re: https://www.google.com/search?q=What...T8kIN71wwx04kM
Image result for What day is National K9 Veterans' Day
New Jersey was the first state to recognize the day as a holiday. Florida, Michigan and West Virginia are among the handful of other states to officially recognize the day. Virginia held its first official recognition of K9 veterans in 2014.

Did you know? In WW1, "Mercy Dogs" were trained to bring medical supplies to wounded soldiers trapped in no man's land. But they also brought psychological comfort. If a dog sensed that a soldier was nearing death, they would remain by the soldier's side so he wouldn't have to die alone. Around 20,000 dogs served during WWI and WWII, and save thousands of lives. We even have a National K9 Veterans Day its March 13th and started in 1942.

That date was selected by: Joe White. So K9 Veterans Day was established by Joe White who was a Vietnam Veteran as well as a K9 handler and trainer. Since the US K9 Corps (War Dog Program) was created on March 13, 1942, Mr. White chose March 13th as the day to recognize, honor, and celebrate MWD veterans.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...MygBegUIARCkAQ

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Truly A Man's Best Friend
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Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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