The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument: A Symbol of Loyalty

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a tribute to the incredible bond between humans and dogs in the military. Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, it's a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these dedicated canine companions.

The monument is a result of a long-fought campaign by veterans and their families to honor the contributions of military working dogs. In 2013, the US Army's 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, donated a bronze statue of a military working dog to kick-start the monument's creation.

The monument is dedicated to the over 1,000 military working dogs that have died in service since World War II. Their bravery and loyalty have saved countless lives, and their memory is etched in the hearts of those who served alongside them.

The design of the military working dog teams national monument is a testament to the complexity and simplicity of the subject matter. The monument's graphic artist, Brian Rich, digitally illustrated renderings that brought the vision to life, telling the story of military working dog teams from World War II to the War on Terror.

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The monument's design embodies the history of the war dog program, incorporating the simplicity of the subjects while detailing the complexity of military working dogs and their handlers' lives on the battlefield. The materials selected, granite and silicone bronze, can withstand the test of weather and time with minimal maintenance.

The monument features a 9.5-foot dog handler to represent and honor military dog handlers past and present, standing atop a pedestal that says "Guardians of America's Freedom." The handler and four canines are surrounded by a granite wall displaying a brief history of the military war-dog team, complete with a laser-etched design showcasing authentic photos of war-dog teams in action.

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The national monument incorporates the history of the war-dog program from WWII to the Wars on Terror and includes five of the U.S. Armed Services: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

The monument features four dog breeds that stood out for their contributions to the war-dog program: the Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois.

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Each of the bronze dogs stands at about 60 inches, a testament to their importance in the war-dog program.

The Doberman Pinscher played a significant role in saving lives in the Pacific and European theaters during WWII as a scout and sentry.

German Shepherds performed a variety of tasks, including sentry, scout, and messenger duties, in both the Pacific and European Theaters during WWII.

In America, the Coast Guard deployed German Shepherds to guard coast waters, beaches, and major riverways during WWII.

The German Shepherd was the primary breed used for scouting and sentry duty during the Korean War.

The Labrador was deployed as a tracker during the Vietnam War.

The U.S. deployed the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever during the War on Terror to search and detect improvised explosive devices, mines, and booby-traps.

The design of the monument was a collaborative effort between artist Brian Rich and the U.S. Department of Defense. Rich's vision was to create a visual structure that would honor the history of military working dog teams.

The design incorporates the simplicity of the subjects, but also details the complexity of military working dogs and their handler's lives on the battlefield. Rich's goal was to create a meaningful and accurate historical representation of the war dog program from World War II to the present-day War on Terror theaters.

The monument features all four U.S. Armed Services - Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force - as well as the US Coast Guard. This comprehensive design ensures that the monument is a symbol of unity and recognition for all branches of the military.

The materials selected for the monument are granite and silicone bronze, which can withstand the test of weather and time with minimum maintenance. This was a deliberate choice to ensure the monument's durability and longevity.

The granite components were procured from the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Vermont, and were carefully cut to specifications before being shipped to JBSA-Lackland for installation.

You can support the Military Working Dogs Teams National Monument in several ways. To make a direct donation, visit the Airman Heritage Foundation's donation page online or mail a check to P.O. Box 761422, San Antonio, TX, 78245-6422, designating the MWD Monument on your contribution.

If you'd like to leave a lasting legacy, consider purchasing a Legacy Paver, which can be placed in the pathway leading to the monument to honor military working dogs and handlers. To place an order, visit the Legacy Pavers page on the Foundation's website.

If you're looking to support the Military Working Dogs Teams National Monument, there are several ways to do so. You can make a direct donation online through the Airman Heritage Foundation's donation page.

Financial contributions can be made safely online, and you can also mail a check to the Airman Heritage Foundation at P.O. Box 761422, San Antonio, TX, 78245-6422. Be sure to designate the MWD Monument on your contribution.

Legacy Pavers are a unique way to honor military service members, and you can purchase one to be placed in the pathway leading to the monument. To place an order, visit the Legacy Pavers page on the Foundation's website.

You can also buy merchandise to support the MWD Monument through the Airman Heritage Foundation's print on demand store on Shopify.

Military dogs are highly trained and skilled animals that play a crucial role in supporting our troops. They serve in a variety of roles, including explosives detection, patrol, and sentry duty.

Their keen sense of smell and agility make them invaluable assets on the battlefield. They can detect explosives and other hazards with ease, helping to keep soldiers safe.

Many military dogs are trained to respond to commands in multiple languages, allowing them to work effectively with troops from different countries. This is just one example of how they're able to serve as ambassadors for our military.

These dogs are often deployed in high-stress environments, where they're exposed to extreme temperatures, loud noises, and other dangers. Despite these challenges, they remain focused and alert, always ready to serve.

In recognition of their bravery and dedication, the U.S. military has established a special program to honor and care for retired military dogs. This program provides medical care, housing, and other support to these deserving animals.

The dedication and unveiling ceremony of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was a grand affair. It took place on October 28, 2013, with full military fanfare.

The ceremony was organized by the Joint Base San Antonio Military Family (JBMF) along with the assistance and direction of Lt Col Harris, 341st Training Squadron (TRS) Commander, and TSgt Christopher Dion, 341st TRS Military Working Dog Handler Course Team Chief and representative to the JBMF.

Speakers at the ceremony included the monument's founder and author, John C. Burnam, and other notable figures such as retired USMC Handler Ron Aeillo, President US War Dogs Association, and USAF Wounded Warrior and K9 Handler cast member of the movie "Glory Hounds".

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The event was covered by many local and national news organizations and was open to the American public, making it a significant and memorable occasion.

A notable speaker at the ceremony was TSgt Leonard Anderson, and USMC Handler and author of Sergeant Rex, SGT Mike Dowling, who shared their experiences and insights with the audience.

The National Monument recognizing military working dog teams is a fitting tribute to these incredible animals and their handlers.

The monument is located in Hot Springs, South Dakota, on the grounds of the National Cemetery.

It was dedicated on October 5, 2018, by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The monument honors the more than 1,000 military working dogs who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War II.

The monument features a bronze statue of a military working dog and its handler.

The statue represents the bond between a military working dog and its handler, which is a crucial aspect of their work together.

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