Military Working Dog Demonstrations at Fort Stewart, GA

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July 2012 Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Award Winning Bi-Monthly Newsletter MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 4 www.mwdtsa.org

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of the photos, stories, news and highlights of 2012!

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Inside this issue:

MWD Demonstrations at 1 Fort Stewart, GA

2012 Proclamation Pre- 3 sented at Moody AFB, GA

Road Trip! 4 Members of the Vietnam era 62nd Combat Tracker Platoon with the 385th Military Police Offutt—Nebraska’s Military 5 Dog Handler Day MWD Section at the MWD kennels on Fort Stewart near Savannah, GA. John Douangdara War Dog 8 Park

Thank You to our Donors 9

Celebration at Military Working Dog 10 Davis-Mothan AFB, AZ Demonstrations at Fort Stewart, GA What skills can you share By Avril Roy-Smith to support our dog teams? We are looking for volun- On Friday, June 8, 2012, Vi- Man, a Team Leader and, of Stewart’s Gate 1 and guided nd teers in: etnam era 62 Combat Track- course, the Dog Handler and the convoy of attendees er Platoon members, along dog. The dogs used in these through the Fort to the kennels Fundraising with their family members, teams were more akin to SSD were guests of the MWDTSA dogs than the Patrol and Se- The kennels are located in a th Grant writing at an event held at the 385 curity dogs employed by the secluded and rather charming Military Police Battalion MWD 385th Military Police Battalion area on Fort Stewart surround- Section kennels on Fort Stew- MWD Section. ed by some of the great old Giving presentations art, GA. Dixie Whitman, and I oaks for which the Georgia represented MWDSTA. SSG John Hughey, the Train- coast is famous. As it was a Soliciting in kind - th ing NCO of the 385 MP Bat- typically warm, sunny and donations The 62nd Combat Trackers talion MWD Section, was our humid day for the Savannah were some of the most highly military contact for coordinat- area, the oaks provided some Newsletter editing decorated special teams in ing the event. His patience welcome shade Vietnam. They worked in and help were a big factor in Social networking teams consisting of a Visual the success of the day. SSG The event started with a wel- Tracker, a Cover Man, a Radio Hughey met us near Fort come from Kennel Master SFC

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Continued from page 1 — Fort Stewart

questions about their uses. Parked nearby were vehicles I was at Fort Stewart and was used to transport the dogs very impressed by many things. The number of the here and in the field. handlers that had been deployed and the many We were offered a tour of the that had 2, 3, 4 kennel area and saw how the deployments. Wow, America dogs live between training will always be safe with the Troops we have. A great sessions and deployments. group of guys and The medals won by the indi- gals...... vidual dogs were on display Above: We saw demonstrations of scent work. outside their respective kennel I enjoyed them letting me and it was sobering to see "practice" with them. As a Purple Hearts displayed there. Visual Tracker I had never seen Lavalle who asked the ten dog the dogs in action, or in any handlers of the MWD Section Next was a quick tour of the type of training...... just a great SFC Lavalle presented a to introduce themselves and offices and training areas day and a day I will always demonstration by some of the describe their military experi- along with gear familiariza- remember. handlers of the training meth- ences. Their youth coupled tion. Articles used by the We can never thank our Troops with the extraordinary number ods used in the section. Alt- MWD handlers and trainers enough, and we KNOW what hough the dogs are trained of deployments greatly im- everyday were laid out and these Troops do, very special in before being sent to the sec- pressed and moved the 14 explanations of their uses our hearts. nd tion, the handlers and dogs members of the 62 Combat given. This display included train on a daily basis to keep Estel Matt Trackers attending the event. the full padded suits and proficient in their skills. Cur- Visual Tracker The Vietnam era Veterans gradations of padded pants, rent training methods employ then introduced themselves jackets and sleeves, collapsi- positive reinforcement with and recounted their service ble water bowls, foot protec- rewards such as Kongs, rather Demonstrations were given of and experiences. tion for the dogs, leashes and than the repetitions reinforced basic training techniques and collars and other items. All by praise and corrections used scent work. Then we were treat- these have to be carried in the past. The former dog ed to a display of search tech- The demo at Ft. Stewart when the teams are down handlers who had served with niques as a dog was put through was outstanding, a real eye range and are stuffed into a the 62nd Combat Trackers an obstacle course. After, we -opener for us old "dog" backpack which was also men. Especially of interest were awed by these differ- got to witness bite work training shown. We had the oppor- to us trackers was the new ences. reward-based training pro- tunity to inspect and handle

cess. Quite a bit different the items and ask further than the classical condition- Below: We were given a deomon- ingMy we loadmaster, employed (praise, stration of basic training tech- correction, repetition). The Below: Current training methods employ positive rein- niques . kennel facilities were also forcement with rewards such as Kongs, rather than outstanding,Leon, got far on above the the the repetitions reinforced by praise and corrections conditions we experienced used in the past. evenradio in CONUS. and

SFC Lavalle and her team wentannounced out of their wayto allto make us feel welcome and their training demonstra- tionsthose prove who that indeed,cared "the Army is in good hands."to listen, “Our

Dick Baumer COL,patient Inf (USA is Ret.)a K -9, CO, 62 IPCT (1969) CO,that 26 IPSis a(1968) Delta -

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www.mwdtsa.org 2012 Proclamation Resides at Moody 820th Kennel By Dixie Whitman

In late March, Georgia Gover- shoot in a simulator. I’m not truly impressed by the creativ- nor Nathan Deal signed a sure who enjoyed the shooting ity and engineering of Ameri- The best time of the day was proclamation honoring Military simulator more, the guests or ca’s innovators. One of the getting to sit and watch the Dog Handler Day. That origi- the handlers. We had a blast “rides” in the building is a breath-taking military working nal proclamation, framed and – literally. simulator that allows trainees dogs work, their caring han- ready for its new home, was to practice egress from an dlers eager to show off the driven to Moody Air Force Shooting weaponry is hard- overturned Humvee. While I results of the endless love and Base near Valdosta, GA on wired in the DNA of most men think I made the right decision work that it takes to build a April 20, 2012 and presented I know and my husband was not to test my breakfast by great dog. The majority of to the staff of the 820th Ken- no exception. He got to shoot being turned upside down and the dogs utilized at Moody are nels. all kinds of guns – the more spun around, the young folks German shepherd dogs and automatic and the bigger the making their way out of the Belgian Malinois, both breeds What an amazing day it was! caliber, the bigger his smile. vehicle were learning im- from the herding group. We The day started early with an We also got to see technical portant survival lessons before watched the six phases of opportunity to do some basic gadgets being used in the heading down range with their aggression, which highlights introductions, meet the skilled current conflicts and we were dogs. the various ways in which dogs and their devoted handlers, visit the kennels and get familiar with the gear used on missions.

Following that, MWDTSA sup- porters were treated to a special opportunity to visit the Right: The proclamation was cool F.A.T.S building. What is presented to the Kennel an F.A.T.S. building? It’s a Master, MSgt. Keith Crowd- Firearms and Training Simula- er, by Jerry Whitman, tor building with really cool, MWDTSA supporter. new, cutting edge technical gizmos and a chance to go “down range” without the travel time or the sand to

Left and Right: The best time of the day was getting to sit and watch the breath-taking military working dogs work, their caring handlers eager to show off the results of the endless love and work that it takes to build a great dog.

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Continued from page 2 — Fort Stewart

couple of the working dogs been deployed and the many joined us and were much that had 2, 3, 4 deploy- admired and petted, especial- ments. Wow, America will al- ly by the children present. ways be safe with the Troops we have. A great group of guys and The day was deemed a great gals...... We can never success with all participants thank our Troops enough, and enjoying the time spent to- we KNOW what these Troops do, gether. Dick Baumer, the very special in our hearts.” 62nd Combat Tracker Platoon Leader, emailed: “SFC Lavalle This was my first MWDTSA event and her team went out of and I felt that our mission of their way to make us feel offering assistance to MWD pro- welcome and their training grams of both active duty and Above: We got to witness bite work training utilizing demonstrations prove that veteran organizations was well the different levels of padded protection. indeed, "the Army is in good demonstrated. The reception of hands." Estell Matt also our donations and the feedback emailed:” I was at Fort Stew- I got from various people I talked to convinced me that this utilizing the different levels of dogs showed and their reac- art and was very impressed is a cause worth supporting. padded protection. SFC La- tions to the different situa- by many things. The num- valle donned padded jackets tions presented to them were ber of the handlers that had and sleeves and acted as the very instructive. All in all, baiter for some of these the demonstrations were demonstrations. stellar and an unforgettable experience. An opportunity for the visitors to volunteer and take part in Dixie Whitman presented SFC these exercises was given. A Lavalle with the 2009 Military couple of the veterans donned Dog Handler Day Proclama- a padded sleeve and experi- tion as this was the first op- enced what it was like to be portunity to coordinate the the target rather than a han- presentation event. dler. Estell Matt, a veteran MWDTSA handed out Kongs Visual Tracker, was one of to the dog handlers, with these. In an email to some of the dogs enjoying MWDTSA, he said: “I enjoyed their new toys immediately. them letting me "practice" T-shirts were also given to with them. As a Visual Track- the active duty and veteran Above and below: SFC Lavalle donned padded er I had never seen the dogs soldiers. The t-shirts jackets and sleeves and acted as the baiter for in action, or in any type of prompted an explanation to some of these demonstrations. training...... just a great day the active duty soldiers of and a day I will always re- how the various members of member.” the Combat Tracker teams worked together. Emphasis was made that each dog was an individual and A lunch of pizza, salad, soft worked slightly differently and drink, water and cookies was that each had its own person- provided by MWDTSA and ality. All the dogs we saw enjoyed at tables set under were either German Shepherd the shady trees. While eat- Dogs or Belgian shepherds ing, the 385th soldiers and and seemed eager to perform the 62nd veterans exchanged their jobs. The control the stories and experiences. A

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Road Trip! By Dixie Whitman

In the spring, MWDTSA mem- (AFB) in Illinois, just east of returned from an undisclosed The second stop, at Fort Leonard bers visited several military St. Louis, was definitely on location down range and after Wood in Missouri, was a stretch installations where dog ken- the way. Many times we chatting a few minutes, we on the meaning of “nearby” as it nels are located. Because have traveled past the en- realized that MWDTSA had was over 200 miles and 3 ½ MWDTSA does not use donat- trance road, but because of sent support to the handler he extra hours of driving. But, as ed funds for travel, we try to the day of the week or time replaced and were already most folks know, Fort Leonard incorporate stops at kennels of day, we were unable to sending boxes to the handler Wood, also known affectionately across the country when we coordinate a stop. who replaced him, but had not as “Fort Lost in the Woods” is are traveling nearby – or, in had his contact information. not really close to anything. It’s many instances, a loose inter- This time we made it a priori- Lack of continuity is the bane in the middle of Missouri and is a pretation of “nearby”. ty. The Kennel Master at of my existence. One can un- huge basic training facility. The Scott AFB, TSgt Turcott, derstand how deployed folks kennel was actually lost in the Two such stops were made on pulled out all stops to make have other priorities, but it woods to me as it took about a recent vacation to the Mid- us feel welcome. Great ken- really does require many three passes through to pin west to visit family. The first nel masters are like that; hours spent trying to make point it. stop at Scott Air Force Base they like to show off their those connections over and kennels and get great sup- over again. But it was worth the extra effort port for their handlers and as we got a chance to spend dogs. This gentleman was As we do with our normal ken- quality time with the staff at the no exception. nel recognitions, we handed regular military police kennel out KONG toys to the dogs and also met two of the kennel The visit to the kennels was and our new T-shirts to the masters with the engineer ken- relaxed with the chance to handlers, who appreciated nels which are also located at really talk to individual han- them. We also enjoyed a Fort Leonard Wood. This military dlers. One handler had just luncheon at a local restaurant post has lots of dogs! I learned of their choice: Buffalo Wild that these engineer kennels are Wings. We spent a lot of time exclusive to Fort Leonard Wood Left and below: I got to meet at lunch talking dogs, talking and deploy dog teams trained to a very handsome shepherd, dog equipment, talking dog clear roadways; therefore, most Chris, who somehow trans- competitions and talking dog of their dogs are Labradors or lated “Do not move a muscle.” support. Thanks so much for other sporting breed dogs. into perfect English. His handler, Sgt Trapp, recently re- your time, guys. MWDTSA shared toys and shirts turned from down range. here, as well.

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Moody - Continued from page 3 dogs can be used in patrol for a great luncheon during of MWDTSA heroes, Rico, was work to both apprehend a which time the proclamation based at Moody during his suspect and serve as over was presented to the Kennel deployments. watch to assist their handlers Master, MSgt. Keith Crowder, with prisoner escort. All of by Jerry Whitman, MWDTSA At the end of the day, we these dogs were well-loved, supporter. loaded into the car and left Below: Military Dog Handler very happy campers and per- this very special place with Day Celebrants pose after en- formed to their top standards. The 820th is a special unit of memories of a wonderful time. joying some time in the Fire- arms Training Simulator. the United States Air Force After the dog demonstrations, which can, at a moment’s we were ready for some notice, deploy anywhere in chilling time. MWDTSA was the world. It includes the delighted to be able to share 822nd, 823rd, and 824th ken- the day with all of the dogs nels. It was activated in and handlers present. As a 1997 and mirrors some of token of our appreciation, the activity of Safeside, a MWDTSA left new KONG toys special Air Force unit from for the dogs to enjoy biting the Vietnam era, which takes and one of our famous the mission of Air Force po- MWDTSA T-shirts, which licemen from base and asset showcases a former Moody protection to outside the AFB dog, Rita, on one of her wire. This kennel has a fast deployments in Iraq. Mem- tempo of deployments which bers of the kennel staff grilled finds the folks from this ken- yummy burgers and hot dogs nel down range often. One

MWDTSA Visits Offutt for Nebraska’s Military Dog Handler Day By Dixie Whitman

Offutt Air Force Base handlers, Vietnam dog handlers and local dog fanciers from Omaha joined MWDTSA’s Chan Follen and Dixie Whitman for Nebraska’s first Military Dog Handler Day on June 1st.

Chan coordinated the occasion with the Kennel Master, TSgt Pevestorf, to create a day that honored dog handlers from Nebraska’s only military kennel, along with veteran dog handlers and the state’s war dog heritage.

Part of the proclamation signed by Nebraska Governor, David Heineman, read as follows:

WHEREAS: Canine handlers and their dogs are active on Offutt Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS: Nebraska remembers its extensive World War II canine heritage with Fort Robinson, Nebraska serving as the training ground for some of our best dog teams; and Chan was beaming as she presented the Governor’s Proclamation to the Offutt Kennel Master. Volume 4, Issue 4 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 7

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WHEREAS: Nebrska is proud to recognize and honor the United States Armed Forces Canine Handlers and their dogs, who have given of themselves to ensure our continued Right: Dick King, a Vietnam freedom, liberty and way of life; era Navy dog handler, shows

off one of the T-shirts MWDTSA Thanks to the help of a Vietnam Dog Handler Association handed out to the dog handlers friend, MWDTSA was able to track down and invite a handful of for Nebraska's Military Dog local veteran handlers who all reported enjoying a great time Handler Day. being back in a working kennel.

The day started with an opportunity to meet and greet all of the attendees. We were treated to a great dog demonstration and a Kennel Tour by a devoted staff of Offutt dog handlers, while witnessing some great dog work. All dogs have their own personalities that they bring to their work; some dogs have a goofy side when not engaged in performing their job and some are always serious.

Throughout the day, guests had great opportunities to interact with the Offutt handlers and at lunch, over world class BBQ, new relationships were forged. After the luncheon and the oc- Left: Two generations — one casion to connect with the team at Offutt, Chan was beaming cause. as she presented the Governor’s Proclamation to the Offutt Offutt Air Force Base handlers Kennel Master. After a successful event, attendees were al- and Vietnam dog handlers ready planning a similar day for next year. joined MWDTSA for Nebraska’s first Military Dog Handler Day According to the official website, Offutt Air Force Base is home on June 1st. of the 55th Wing, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, and a variety of partner units. Offutt's diverse missions and global responsi- bilities put it on the cutting edge of the Air Force's transfor- mation. Offutt is a beautiful community situated near the Mis- souri River in the rolling hills of southeastern Nebraska.

Road Trip - Continued from page 5

recently returned from down The regular kennel master range. It seems that this was out of the office, but Sgt. kennel does pretty heavy Durham was a great stand in. rotations, too. Left: Bandit, the English He and his staff did some ter- Springer Spaniel at Fort Leon- ard Wood. This is the first rific demos for us. We got to We went to eat at the local spaniel type dog that I've ever meet the first ever Springer restaurant of their choice and met who is a Military Working Spaniel at a base, who was talked for an hour or so. Just Dog. Bandit is a Specialized introduced by his devoted an enjoyable visit and time Search Dog, not required to handler, Wells. The springer well spent getting to know bite, only required to smell was cute and animated and our heroes, canine and hu- really well and communicate with the handler. loving what he did. The other man a bit better. dog that I got to meet was a handsome shepherd who somehow translates “Do not move a muscle.” into perfect English. His handler, Trapp, Pa ge 8 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 4 www.mwdtsa.org

John Douangdara Memorial War Dog Park

By Chan Follen

South Sioux City, Nebraska has the pedestal bring the total named a park in honor of John amount needed to approximately Douangdara, who was killed in $55,000.00. The family is cur- action August 6, 2011 alongside rently searching for a contractor 29 soldiers and his Military to complete the pedestal where Working Dog in a downed Chi- the statue will sit. The target nook helicopter in Afghanistan. date to erect the statue is Me- John was a graduate of the 2003 morial Day of 2013; however, class of South Sioux City Senior work on the park has already High. started. Fencing was erected on May 4-5 of 2012 and people are John’s family is trying to raise now able to bring their dogs. funds to erect a monument of John and Bart, the Military With kind donations and fund- Working Dog that died with him, raising events the family has Above: Siouxland Freedom Park committee with John Dou- and place it in the John Douang- already raised $18,000.00. They angdara’s family – Chan with the hard hat, her father, Sith, dara Memorial War Dog Park. are still a distance from reaching to her left holding a shovel, and her mother, Seng, standing behind her and to her right. This park is part of Siouxland’s the needed goals, but are deter- Freedom Park and is to honor all mined to get there. Below: Chan Follen points out the location of the memorial Military Dog Handlers as well as on a diagram of the Dog Park to one of the South Sioux City their loyal companions, the Mili- The family organizes fundraising officials attending the event. tary Working Dogs. This is a events and is looking for corpo- park where visitors can explore rate sponsors or donations to with their dogs. move them closer to the reality of completion. The family and The Douangdara family has con- friends of John Douangdara ap- tracted with Susan Bahary, a preciate everyone’s support in well-known international sculp- memory of fallen dog teams. tor, to create the statue of John and Bart. She has worked on For more information, or up- many pieces including the piece dates: http:// “Always Faithful”, a monument www.inmemoryofjohn.com/ honoring Marine Military Dogs in Guam. The cost of the statue is $45,000, and additional costs of

Continued from page 4 — Fort Stewart

Left: The graphics on the back of the t-shirts made to commemorate the event at Fort Stewart and given to the active duty and veteran soldiers.

Right: The 385th MP battalion MWD Section with the framed 2009 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation that Dixie Whitman presented to SFC La- valle. MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 4 Pa ge 9

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A Big Thank You to Our Donors

Above: (L) Lickety Stix treats and (R) collapsible water bowl donated by Invisible Fence by Peachtree.

Above: Members of the Betha- We would like to thank the following donors for their gener- ny United Methodist Church— ous in-kind donations. United Methodist Women pic- tured with a selection of their Invisible Fence by Peachtree donated collapsible water donations which included (R) bowls and treats. Collapsible water bowls are always needed Tuf-Foot for the MWD and tea downrange. for their handlers.

Bethany United Methodist Church - United Methodist Women, Smyrna, GA donated items from our wish list, Tuf- foot and cash.

Leland United Methodist Church - United Methodist Women, Mableton, GA donated items from our wish list.

Bethany United Methodist Church children for their cards and letters.

Memorial donations made by family and friends of James "Terry" Strickland.

Newton Kennel Club of Sussex County, New Jersey for their very generous, much appreciated cash donation.

Right: Some of the many cards and letters we received to include in the care packages we send to Military Working Dog Teams.

Left: Children from the Bethany United Method- ist church. Pa ge 10 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 4 www.mwdtsa.org

Celebration at Davis-Monthan AFB By Kara Gniewek

Above: Dog handlers, their family members and volunteers shared a special event at David-Mothan AFB. Jon Hemp’s grandson, Vincent E. Holguin, took photos in front of the 355th’s mural to commemorate the day.

On Saturday April 21st, two Heritage Exhibit at the March ployed at the time of the Before the meal, Jon gave a generations of Military Work- Air Field Museum. At the BBQ. prayer of remembrance and ing Dog handlers came togeth- heart of the organization are protection for all service mem- er to celebrate each other’s Jon Hemp and his family. Jon I was privileged to attend as bers with special recognition to service at Davis-Monthan AFB is an extremely dedicated Vet- the representative for the spouses, parents, and chil- in Tucson, Arizona. The event eran Air Force K-9 Handler, MWDTSA. In this capacity, I dren of the Davis-Monthan was organized by Feed the (who served at Tan Son Nhut would have the honor of pre- teams. This was followed by a Dawgs, a California-based Air Base with the 377th Secu- senting a large bag of treats reading of the names of recent group whose focus is to recog- rity Police Squadron) and a and Kongs for the K-9s to international dog team casual- nize active duty Military Work- retired teacher. Having Kennel Master TSgt Jose Val- ties. The haunting status of ing Dog Teams and to say served with a generation of dez from MWDTSA. I was MIA was given to several of "thank you" to all the Military handlers and K-9s who re- especially excited as this was our K-9s. Working Dog heroes, past and ceived little recognition in my first on-base event present. Feed the Dawgs was their time, Jon and the FTD co The 355th's commanding of- started in 2008 by a group of -founders consider it to be a ficer, Major David Lederer, Vietnam-era handlers who duty and an honor to forge As the sun began to bake the spoke and recognized the dis- wanted to provide support and connections between the "Old grounds, I was acutely con- tinguished legacy of Military mentoring for their contempo- Dawgs" and "Pups". scious of the extreme condi- Working Dog Teams, empha- rary counterparts. They travel tions under which these han- sizing the inestimable value of to bases around the country to The afternoon began with the dlers and K-9s train. The our Working Dog heroes' ser- organize and serve steak volunteers, handlers, and fam- Arizona summer reaches 108 vice. He told us of the recent BBQs. They also sponsor indi- ily members gathering at the degrees on a daily basis, discovery of an explosives vidual kennels, offer resources Davis-Monthan Kennel which providing a realistic prepara- cache by one of the Davis- for handlers of all ages, began is home to the 355th SFS Mili- tion for the conditions these Monthan teams. This discov- the annual Iron Dog Competi- tary Working Dog Teams. The teams encounter in their ser- ery had saved thousands of tion, and spearheaded the 355th boasts 8 outstanding vice overseas. lives in Afghanistan. creation of the Military K-9 teams, 3 of whom were de- Volume 4, Issue 4 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 11

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After these solemn and hum- also clear how influential that Below: Major David Lederer (Left) and Jon Hemp (Right). bling moments, some levity generation had been in estab- followed when the Davis- lishing K-9 units in their local Monthan handlers honored one police departments following of their own, Bill Cummings, a their military service. I heard Veteran K-9 handler who stories of beloved K-9 part- served at U-Tapao RTAB, Thai- ners, many of whom were still land with the 635th Security remembered with tears and Police Squadron of Marana, shining praise. Arizona. Bill served out of Davis-Monthan during the As emotional as the afternoon Vietnam War, and is a tremen- was, it was also a simple gath- dous friend and resource for ering of friends around the the current handlers. The grill. There was plenty of humor and affection in that laughter and conversation relationship was evident when over plates of steak, corn on SSgt Ian Porter presented him the cob, potato salad, and with a plaque to commemo- plentiful desserts. In keeping rate his support. Bill is a tire- with Feed the Dawgs tradition, turned to their kennels, but ed, "It's in the training, less advocate for MWDTs. As the meal began with Major my heart followed them. Ma'am. That is why we train the founder of Old Dawgs and Lederer serving a steak to the so hard, so that we can stay Pups, he has provided sup- youngest and newest member As a German Shepherd lover safe." plies, networking, and mentor- of the Davis-Monthan team, and ER Veterinary Technician, ships for our K-9 troops. SrA Daniel Sayarot. Daniel I often have cause to reflect Being a part of the event was was also presented with Ray upon the indelible bond be- an unforgettably moving expe- Bill was one of several Vi- Allen training leads and tugs tween these magnificent rience. The Veterans, volun- etnam-era handlers and ser- from Feed the Dawgs. working dogs and their han- teers, families, and brave men, vice members who were pre- dlers, especially in the dan- women, and K-9s of the 355th sent to participate in the The kennel's training ground gerous situations they must all deserve recognition for their event. As I circulated was briefly turned into a play endure. I can only imagine sacrifice and service. It was amongst the guests, I was area with both children and the extremes of love, loyalty, an important opportunity to consistently humbled and adults bouncing around in an and sacrifice that Military express thanks, in person, to moved by the stories that the- inflatable jumping cas- Working Dog Teams experi- our Military Working Dogs and se Veterans shared. It was tle. Three generations of the ence in their together- Handlers. Let us remember Hemp family were proudly ness. When I asked Daniel and share our gratitude with volunteering at the BBQ, with all those generations of heroes Below: The youngest and new- about how he copes with one of Jon's grandsons, Vin- who came before us, and let est member of the Davis- fearing for the safety of his K- cent E. Holguin, serving as us continue and never stop Monthan team, SrA Daniel 9 partner, Figo, he respond- Sayarot, and his dog, Figo. staff photographer. All of us saying "thank you". assembled for a group photo- graph in front of the 355th's mural. The mural is based on Below: The 355th's mural based on a photo of a Vietnam era dog handler and his dog. a photo of one of Bill's fellow handlers with his dog.

At this time four of the K-9s were brought from the cool of the kennel to join us. We were delighted with the pres- ence of the regal German Shepherds and Belgian Mali- nois who were simultaneously at ease and alert to work. They were soon re- Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Sit. Stay. Support.

MWDTSA P. O. Box 5864 Canton, GA 30114 Editor: Avril Roy-Smith

Phone: 404-451-2539 Email: [email protected]

We are on the web!! See our Blog! www.mwdtsa.org Kennel Talk is the proud recipient Above: Vietnam era dog training at Fort Benning. of GSDCA Special Newsletter

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Below: Bosco and his handler Cody Aloi enjoy a break in training.