SwiftVets.com

[War Dog]

I'm going to break from our normal talk here, and ask for your help. For those of you that do not know our War Dog history from Vietnam, at any one point we had over 4,000 Military Working Dogs and their handlers serving in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. It is estimated that our service prevented from 10,000 and 20,000 additional casualities.

We lost over 500 War Dogs and 230 handlers in combat. When the war was beginning to wind down in 70, the Pentagon started to put our dogs into quarantine for return to the US. Only 200 dogs from Vietnam and Thailand actually made it out either to other bases in SEA and Europe or back to the 'World'. The other approximately 3800 dogs were either turned over to the ARVIN (and eaten) or euthanized.

So, about ten years ago, we started our own website, www.vdhaonline.org , Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, and began to campaign for all War Dogs and their handlers. We petitioned Congress, and the last bill that former President Bill Clinton signed into law was our law.

It basically said that,

1) All Military Working Dogs come home from all wars and foreign lands;

2) It used to be when Military Working Dogs were too old to work, they were put to sleep. Now, if their health problems are not too severe and life threatening, they are put on an adoption list, and if you are a current or former handler, you may adopt them, and let them be a dog for the rest of their lives with plenty of love and affection; and

3) It used to be when Military Working Dogs did not make it through training, they were put down (to sleep). Now if they have not been through agression training, they are put on a general adoption list where anyone may adopt them. Or if they have been through agression training, and only failed one or two parts of training, but passed others, they are given or sold to federal/civil agencies as drug, explosive, agriculture detection dogs.

About five years ago, we went to Arlington Military Cemetary and asked to build a monument. We were told, "NO, if you want to build a tree, you can, but a monument? If you want to build a monument, go to a pet cemetary!" Needless to say, this pissed us off, and like you my fellow veterans, we do not give up without a fight.

Please go to our web site, www.wardogsmemorial.org , and check it out. If you feel moved and supportive, please click on the link to either sign the guest book, donate, or send a letter to your elected Congress Critter(s).

If you click on the committee link, I am the last one on that page. Help us build a monument in Washington, D.C. dedicated to all Military Working Dogs (War Dogs) and their handlers in war and in peacetime!

Thanks!

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[xsquid]

[War Dog]

Thanks xsquid for your comments. I'd really like this thread if possible to be clean from any partisan political comments towards either Former President Bill Clinton, current President George W. Bush, Senator John F. Kerry, or any other politicans or political issues in the news today.

I'm asking for you support for the War Dogs and their handlers to help us get this memorial built. I appreciate your comments and support, but please, let's leave the political comments for other threads!

Thanks!

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[xsquid]

Just remember, I did not bring up Clinton's name in this thread. I just posted my opinion on what was posted about him. Leave his name out altogether if you want no comments on him. If you are going to post a thread then people are going to comment on all contents of it.

Not arguing, just stating a fact.

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

3800 working dogs?

Damn, that must have been 3800 different kinds of heartbreak for their handlers - as if they didn't have enough to grieve.



I'm so sorry that such an atrocious policy was in place - I'll be glad to visit your link.
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[War Dog]

Thanks xsquid, I wasn't trying to ping on just you, but hoping to avoid the hate that is on all the other threads. Please accept my apology if you were offended.

3Navy, yes, it still hurts to this day. My first dog was a sentry dog, Sarge 617X I handled him for seven months, then I was at a gun bunker talking to the straight legs, and went to put my hand on the steel support. Well, in the dark, I missed it, and put my hand on the tin instead. My hand went right through the tin, almost severing completely my little finger on my left hand. Needless to say, I had to call the SAT team, go to the kennel, put my dog up, and on to the hospital where I received 13 stitches. (and I didn't get no damn Purple Heart for it! )

So, I couldn't take my dog out for two weeks, so I drove on SAT team. During the two weeks, Sarge was taken from me, and I got Blackie X850, a patrol dog. I handled Blackie for five months before I rotated back to 'the world'.

We worked on a 9/2 shift, from sundown to sunup on our K9 posts. It's hard to spend 12-18 hours a day with your dog (counting to post from the kennels, on post, back to the kennels and daily training). Our dog was more than just a Military Working Dog, they were veterans just like us, they were warriors, our friends, companions and best buddies. They were the only one we could really talk to, we ate with them, slept with them, and they depended on us as much as we depended on them. They asked for nothing more than our love, affection, food, water and shelter, and a purpose. We gave them all that, and they gave us much more.

We spent roughly 298 nights out of our 365 in country with our dogs. Yep, we were might close to them, and that is why it hurt so much when the US Army, Air Force, Marine and Navy handlers heard about what happened to all our dogs. Sarge was put down in early 74 with hip dysplasia at the age of 11. He lived a good life for a MWD. Blackie was one of the lucky ones, he made it out to another base in SEA, either Guam or Japan.

The Executive Committee members of the National War Dog Team Memorial travel all around the US giving speeches and presentations for not only our memorial project, but the history of the War Dogs. I travel all over this part of Alabama giving speeches/presentations to schools, churches, scouts, civic groups, military, police, fire department, and at many local events in our area. My current German Shepherd, 'Honey' and I are in the Veterans Day Parade here in Birmingham, and this will be our fourth year in the parade. There is a video out, and many local libraries carry it called, "War Dogs", and it is a documentary of our members, our dogs and their history. You can also catch it on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and History Channel when they play it. I've seen it at least 150 times, and I cry each time I see it.

This is a subject very close to my heart and soul.

Here is something I wrote five years ago that has deep meaning for me! Hope you enjoy it!

TRUST
By Bill Wigginton

In the beginning, we were wary of each other. I didn’t know you and you didn’t know me. I was even a little bit scared of you, and I didn’t know if you would be mean or kind to me. Your kind is so unpredictable. But as we got to know each other, I learned to trust you, honor you, respect you, obey you and even love you.

As well as I can understand it; my sole purpose in life is to give you comfort and to please you. It’s what I live for. I’ll never ask for much in return from you. All I need is the basics that any of my brothers and sisters ask for. Just a warm, dry place to sleep, food and water for my growing body, love for my soul, lots of encouragement for my mind and ego, and a best friend when I need one, for even I have my melancholy moments when I’m sad, lonely, frightened, scared or confused. You make me feel whole when you love me.

In return for giving me the basics that anyone could ask for, I will give you more kisses, affection and love than you can handle. I will protect you and gladly give my life so that you may live. I will warn you when there is danger, and be there whenever you need a best friend to talk to. I may not be able to speak your language, but I will let you know how I feel in many other ways.

I will give you joy when you are sad, a friend when you are lonely, and laughs when you need them, warmth on cold nights. I will do funny things and tricks to keep you amused and to pass the time. I will obey your every command and wish for you are also my best friend.

I know that there are times when I will act bad and do something that you do not approve of. All I ask is that you let me know I've done wrong, and be gentle with me, and I’ll try and not let it happen again. I can’t help that I make mistakes, but please don’t yell at me, or ever hit me. Best friends don’t do that to each other. I want you to respect and love me as much as I respect and love you.

We have a bond, you and I that should never be broken. Our love for each other will endure long past the time when I am old and broken, and I must leave you. You are my life, my heart and my soul. You are my everything, and I depend on you for so much. Without you, I am lost, I am sad, I am confused, and I am worth nothing.

I live for you to love me, tell me words of encouragement, play with me, and give me walks and exercise. I love for you to teach me new tricks, and I even love to teach you a few. The moments that you are away from me are like hours, and the hours like days. Even if you are away from me for only a few minutes, it seems like an eternity to me. That is why I am so happy to see you whenever you come back to me.

You and I have given each other the most precious gifts that anyone could give each other. We have given each other our trust, and have exchanged the responsibility for each other’s lives. I always want your trust, and will do anything to keep it. I hope and pray that I will always have yours! And one day when I am gone from this world, I will wait for you in heaven. You will recognize me right off, I will be the one who is smiling and wagging my tail with excitement.

I am your loyal dog, and will always be your best friend.


Woof!

USAF/USN Retired/Disabled
388th SPS K-9; Korat RTAFB, Dec71 to Dec 72;
Sarge 617X and Blackie X850
Member: Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, Vietnam Security Police Association, and National War Dog Team Memorial Committee.
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

I tell ya, I couldn't make it through any of the stories on that site without tears, and I couldn't make it through your post without crying, either. (sappy woman! )

I'd already decided to make a donation as soon as my next bonus arrives because I do hope you get your memorial. Good luck!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[xsquid]

[War Dog]

Thanks 3Navy! When I do my presentations, and I read 'Trust', I can't get through it without crying either!

xsquid, I second that!

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[War Dog]

BUMP!

War Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[War Dog]

Another shameless 'bump' for those that haven't seen this thread yet. Yes, I am 'trolling' for support from you, my fellow veterans!

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[War Dog]

Bump!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[War Dog]

For anybody that hasn't seen this yet!

Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."

[xsquid]

I remember at one time I was tad from my ship to base shore patrol at 32nd street naval station. We had to go to the EM club and chase everyone out that did not want to leave. They were a pain until the dog unit showed up and the handler had the dog let out a long series of barks. Pepole would climbing over each other to get out of there.
_________________
11 years US navy.

[War Dog]

Yep, works every time. Back when I was at Korat RTAFB in 72, the US military had a really rough time with race problems, and more than one race riot or fights broke out at the Enlisted Club on base. The backup/reserve K9's on duty, and the K9's that were patrolling the interior of the base would always be called to the club to close it down. Our puppies did the trick every time.

Big Honking Woof!
_________________
"When people are in trouble, they call the cops.

When cops need help, they call the K-9 unit."