September 2011 Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 5 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK www.mwdtsa.org
Support MWDTSA now Going Home Then and Now so you won’t miss any of Otis, part Labrador and part the photos, stories, news beagle, was a product of the and highlights of 2011! Vietnam era “Superdog Now six times a year! Program”. His Combat Tracker Team was awarded a Bronze Star, which he sports Inside this issue: on his yellow “Cav” bandana. Walking Post 2 At the end of the Vietnam War, Otis was among an Goin’ Home 3 estimated 204 War Dogs who were returned to American Enterprise Holdings 4 soil. His handler had heard Foundation Grant rumors over the years that Otis K9 Koffee Klatch 5 may have made it back. In October of 2010, MWDTSA was able to confirm Otis’ repa- Fabulous, Funky & 7 Fabled T-Shirts triation to the United States.
Our absurdly cool T-shirts are here! By Dixie Whitman Five fabulous, From the first time that I was The dogs were trusted with the dog lovers is the knowledge that, introduced to military working handlers’ lives and the lives of of the over 4,000 dogs generally funky & fabled new dogs and veteran handlers at every man in their combat accepted as having served in T-Shirt designs ~~ Fort Benning. Georgia in Octo- patrol or inside the wire of an Vietnam, only 204 are estimated ber of 2000, I was stunned and installation being protected by to have made it HOME. Order yours today over-whelmed with grief when I K9. Things have changed now, thank- and show your sup- learned about the fate of the The data on the After Action fully, and dogs are brought back majority of Vietnam War Dogs. Reports shows a huge calcula- with their handlers. They are port of MWDTSA! I simply could not get my head ble difference in lives lost in adopted out at the end of their around that loss. areas where dogs were in use careers. But, I’ve always won- Thanks to Avril I witnessed first hand the an- versus areas where dogs were dered how the dogs from Viet- Roy-Smith and guish and heartache experi- unavailable. Trusting the dogs nam were selected for return. enced by Vietnam handlers, made good sense as they are Who made the decisions? I did- Christian Print even thirty-five years later, credited with saving over n’t have to look far to find the Shop for all of your when remembering their part- 10,000 lives in Vietnam alone, answers. MWDTSA co-founder ners. These handlers could not if these statistical differences and our first Treasurer, Ken Be- design help! foretell what the fate of their are extrapolated. secker, shares with us Goin ’ dogs would be, some even Home Shop here: What is inexcusable, sickening his recollection of the extended their tour in Vietnam and causes an unending sad- approximately 100 dogs he was mwdtsa.org/estore.html to avoid leaving their dogs. ness to these veterans and all able to send HOME. Pa ge 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 5
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Walking Post by Dixie Whitman
Walking post was my responsi- Home sounded great, I could bility, along with the handler hardly wait to get there. the Air Force assigned to me. My handler was nervous much of Heading towards nightfall, we the time, but heck, you couldn't loaded in the back of a truck blame him. I mean he was all of 19 and then drove out, with several and sometimes there were people other teams, to be posted along out there trying to kill us. And the the perimeter of our Air Base. night, well, it does take its toll My responsibility was serious. I when you are at war and fear is had to stand guard all night already in the forefront of your long on the stretch of boundary mind. Usually things went to which I and my human smoothly, but every so often, just counterpart were assigned. We enough to keep us on our toes, we had to keep the base assets and During the Vietnam War, dogs like Duke X601 guarded were challenged. I never failed my personnel safe. My handler was base personnel and assets at Air Force Bases across challenge, I never failed my coun- also my responsibility. You southeast Asia; Vietnam and Thailand. try, but most importantly, I never know, he worked hard, but he failed my partner. much. We'd walk, endlessly it had many shortcomings. Lord, We had maybe 200 x 200 yards he could barely hear the quiet to guard, depending on the ter- seemed and then, for a few brief moments, if all seemed I know my buddy is anguished still threats of the night and he rain and conditions. There were about the time we were in Vietnam. couldn't smell a snake if it bit things out there in the dark, well, we might sit to take a load off. My buddy talked a lot But, he needs to know that I'm still him; which wasn’t an idle there really were. Most nights I watching over him. I am still his threat. didn't worry my handler, too about a place called home and I loved to listen to his voice. “Guardian of the Night”.
MWDTSA is One Beneficiary of Fundraiser by Former Handlers
Our good friends from the great opportunity for you. Vietnam Security Police As- Shown at left is only one prize sociation (VSPA) recognize out of four different prizes the important services that that are being raffled. our organization is providing to our dog handlers and are Time is of the essence. including MWDTSA in the Checks must be received by current fundraiser. September 17, 201l. Please go to our website for com- If you have an interest in plete photos and information collectibles of commemora- on all of the great collections tive military police shields, being raffled off during this pins or brassards, this is a wonderful fundraiser. To get complete details and photos of the prizes from this fundraiser, go to: http://www.mwdtsa.org/tdhfundr.html Thanks to the Military Missions Program & Bethany United Methodist Church. Your donation will touch many lives. MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 5 Pa ge 3
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Goin’ Home! By Ken Besecker, Lt.Col. USA (Ret.)
Tracker Dog units to review each Writer’s Note : The information provisionally qualified dog’s medi- provided in this article is based on my cal and training records. Part of recollections from June 1970-June this review was to discuss the 1971. Others may have different dog’s training and combat per- experiences and different memories. formance with the handler, Pla- My Vietnam service was with the toon Commander (a Lieutenant) US Army: 62 nd Infantry Platoon and the training NCO. On many (Combat Tracker) (62 IPCT) and occasions I deployed on missions United States Army Republic of with the Scout Dog handler Vietnam (USARV) Dog Training (usually walking as his shotgun) to Detachment (DTD). first hand observe the dog’s per- formance and personality. My first experiences in Vietnam was as a 2nd Lt. with the 62nd One of my surprises (having spent Combat Tracker team. It was a most of my tour in the southern far cry from the Scout Dog part of Vietnam) during my first training that I had received and trip to a unit near the DMZ was for which I had prepared at how cold it got at night. A sleep- Fort Benning, GA. But, it was ing bag was essential field gear on the Army and we always re- future visits. tained rigid flexibility. Army Handler, Brian, was able to adopt his former partner, In November 1970 I was re- Rony, and bring him home to enjoy his retirement. After many months of evaluations assigned from the 62nd IPCT and reviews by trainers at DTD to the USARV DTD as the and veterinarians at various loca- First Air Cavalry Division I was to assist in the evaluation an automatic disqualifier. I tions and, of course, serious diffi- (Airmobile), now the First Cav- of US Army Combat Tracker believe "red tongue," a nonfa- cult decisions by dog unit person- alry Division, began standing and Scout Dogs to be returned tal, nonsuppurative glossitis, nel, an initial pool of dogs was down in Vietnam. to the Continental United States was also an immediate disquali- selected for return HOME. (CONUS), America, HOME. fier. At DTD I was, in part, initially Finally, in the spring of 1971, the involved with in-country train- There was a detailed criteria In addition to dogs’ health first 50 or so dogs were loaded (in ing for newly assigned Scout established for dogs eligible to conditions, age was a critical standard US Military shipping and Combat Tracker Dogs, as go HOME. This criteria in- factor. I’m not certain what the crates) on a low boy trailer. That well as new handlers assigned to volved, in part, the dog’s age, age cutoff for a dog to qualify was an amazing experience and Vietnam. Additionally, refresher health condition and perform- was, but younger dogs were sight with excited handlers, fren- training was provided to in ance. An initial medical and preferred. After all, in retro- zied veterinarian technicians and a country dogs, handlers and training records screening was spect, as the US Government gaggle of on lookers as the crates Combat Tracker teams. conducted at various Army considered these dogs to be were stacked and strapped in Scout Dog and Combat Tracker property, the intent was likely place. There was truly a buzz in units. to return the dogs for more the air, a sense of fulfillment and In early 1971, I was informed Several medical conditions were work instead of provide them happiness. Our partners were that, as the United States mili- absolute disqualifiers for any an earned retirement. going HOME. tary was standing down in Viet- dog to go HOME. In particular, nam (which would take until if a dog had any history of The dogs’ field performance 1975 to finalize), we were going Tropical Canine Pancytopenia I believe the dogs were then taken to initiate returning dogs to, was a vital consideration for to Bien Hoa Air Force Base or (TCP), (also known as Canine being returned HOME. As Lackland AFB, America, Ehrilichiosis and other names), a Saigon and loaded on a C-141 to HOME. part of this criterion, I travelled be flown HOME. blood disease carried by the most of Vietnam to visit vari- Brown Dog Tick, that created ous Scout Dog and Combat I remember that I stood and
Continued bottom of page 4 Volume 3, Issue 5 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 4
www.mwdtsa.org Thank You, Enterprise Holdings Foundation
As an animal lover and a US (detection of improvised explo- I did some online research and prise Holdings f o r Army Veteran (Gulf War), I sive devices, search support and came across the MWDTSA web- MWDTSA. After some research had heard about the life saving combat as well as providing site and reached out to Susan into the organization, Enterprise work Military Working Dogs comfort to our troops who are Colinan to determine what I Holdings Foundation donated are doing on a daily basis. Sev- in harms way). My family and I could do to help out these Hero two thousand dollars to eral of my currently serving also became familiar with some Dogs. Susan explained to me MWDTSA. I am very happy that brethren had told me stories of of these great working dogs about the Wish List for the or- we could help out, in some small the heroism these dogs show in through Halo Animal Rescue, a ganization including FURmina- way, an organization that sup- the field and at home. I had local animal shelter. that we tors, dog cots and everyday sup- ports these amazing dogs. heard multiple first person ac- support. plies. I decided to apply for a Thank you. Enter- counts of canine valor grant from my employer Dave Dommel
Goin Home that because Sam was a MWD, lice came about and I began my vere heat, leeches, ticks, para- Continued from page 3 etc. Eventually, I wore down. assignment at FT Hood, TX. sites, blood diseases and many watched the dogs (war veterans) (Hope the statute of limita- other maladies. They would loaded on the aircraft and waited tions has passed). I completed work until they dropped, just to At the time, those of us in- until the plane was in the air. A a death certificate for Sam please us. volved in the Military Working member of DTD accompanied indicating he had been killed Dog (MWD) program believed the flight to Lackland Air Force in action; took the certificate st all our friends and buddies, 4 I am motivated by the desire to Base and then returned to DTD. to the 1 Cavalry Division legged soldiers, would be simi- ensure that the final treatment Sometime later we sent the sec- veterinarian for his signature larly returned HOME. of MWDs from Vietnam will ond shipment of approximately and Sam was no longer a never happen again and just as 50 dogs HOME. MWD. Sam became instantly retired! importantly, that the treatment US history documents our gov- dog handlers and all other vet- ernment did not so honor those Were more shipments made after erans who served in Vietnam who gave so much. Our protec- the two I witnessed? I don’t Soon afterward, my time came will not be repeated. It is my tors asked only to be loved and know, but I certainly hope so. I to get on a Freedom Bird and motivation that to the extent I spend time with us and were hope there were many more dogs, return home. My tour in Viet- can influence anything, never willing to do anything we asked like Sam, a large black Labrador nam had ended. My transfer again, will one generation of them to do. They suffered se- Retriever. from Infantry to Military Po- veterans and other citizens ever abandon veterans of another generation. Sam’s handler was killed in action shortly before I arrived at the 62 IPCT. Sam was nearing the end of These canine veterans suffered his working days and there was no a horrible fate after giving so handler to work him. Sam became much to America. The Ameri- a King of the kennel and often can Military Working Dogs who was allowed to just roam the unit were not returned HOME were area when someone was there to either euthanized (the fortunate watch him, play ball or whatever. ones) or assigned to the South Vietnamese military. The Commander of the unit to which the 62 IPCT was attached mentioned several times that he The vast majority of our War remembered Sam from the Com- Dogs assigned to work in Viet- mander’s previous tour with the nam did not have a happy end- same unit. Indeed, he more than ing. However, comfort comes mentioned SAM. He wanted Sam in knowing, for absolute cer- to be his mascot and go wherever Specialized Search Dog, Lucy, was adopted by her former tain, over 100 of our heroes he went. I explained I couldn’t do handler, Scott, and now retrieves for fun at home. made it HOME. Pa ge 5 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 5 www.mwdtsa.org K9 Koffee Klatch—The Support Comes Pouring In
Partnering with exquisite coffee Coffee companies from “sea to roasters and brewers across shining sea’ participated in an America, MWDTSA is intro- effort to show our deployed K9 ducing our new program: K9 handlers that we love and appreci- Koffee Klatch. We are solicit- ate them. And, I do mean “from ing donations of ground coffee sea to shining sea” – Gimme Cof- from each coffee house we fee from New York City to San contact to place in our care Francisco Bay’s Roger’s Gourmet packages. Coffees.
We know that our handlers Imagine what a great cup of cof- enjoy the taste of a great cup of fee will taste like to a handler sit- “Joe” and that these men and ting in a cold mountain pass in women hail from far and wide. Afghanistan. In those moments, I It seemed only appropriate to Billy and Boscoe can almost imagine the aroma of a start making requests from far cup of coffee, like Raven’s Brew, and wide in order to try to get would reveille the scent receptors “a taste of home” over to our ther way, please remember to lot of coffee this summer to in the handler’s nose as strongly handlers; therefore, with this thank the participants for their thank them. ) as the scent being searched by the coffee drive, we reached out support of MWDTSA’s K9 Military Working Dog. Koffee Klatch. with greater efforts to smaller The second coffee company, roasters. Gimme Coffee, in New York MWDTSA appreciates the sup- When I Googled “donations of City, said “yes” immediately. port of the companies below. In fact, we are so excited by our coffee” the first company that How exciting, “yes” on the Additionally many thanks to responses that we are hoping popped up was Green Mountain first two requests. The next Linda Booker, our awesome you, our supporters, will make Coffee Roasters (GMCR) in company, Community Coffee Member at Large and my wonder- an extra effort to stop by when- Vermont. Our Webmaster is Company IS coffee in Louisi- ful sister, Jeanne Gilmore Dedrick ever you are in an area serviced currently in Vermont and active ana so our team member from for making K9 Koffee Klatch by one of these participating with a hiking organization in the Louisiana made that contact on contacts on our behalf. Due to companies. Or, check out the Green Mountains so I was very our behalf and they promised the combined efforts of everyone websites of our great support- excited when GMCR said “Sure, bags of coffee each quarter. involved, coffee support is truly ing companies and try a new we’ll donate.” (Note to Web- Oh yes, they did! pouring in. brew via an online order. Ei- master Jonathan: Please drink a
Name of Coffee Partner Partner Website State represented Type(s) of Coffee Donated
Green Mountain Coffee greenmountaincoffee.com Vermont Vermont Country Blend Roasters Gimme! Coffee gimmecoffee.com New York Mocha Java
Community Coffee Company communitycoffee.com Louisiana Dark Roast and Coffee Cups
Ravens Brew Coffee ravensbrew.com Alaska/Washington Ebony Pearls French Roast
Rogers Gourmet Coffee & gourmet-coffee.com California San Francisco Bay French Roast Tea Market among others
Please thank businesses that support us with your patronage. See our current sponsors at: http://www.mwdtsa.org/sponsors.html Volume 3, Issue 5 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 6 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Observance
The National POW/MIA missing and unaccounted for Recognition Day will be ob- from the Vietnam War . served this year on Friday, September 16. Many Ameri- The National League of Fami- cans, especially our Vietnam lies’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes Veterans, take time on this the United States’ resolve to date to remember those who never forget POWs or those have been held as Prisoners who served their country in of War (POW), as well as conflicts and are still missing. those still Missing in Action “No One Left Behind” Please take an extra moment on (MIA). are 1,687 individuals re- partment's POW/MIA Of- September 16th to remember ported by the Defense De- fice as American personnel our POW MIA, and their fami- As of June of this year, there lies. What’s an EIN? Ours is 13-4346918 Similar to an individual’s identify charities and busi- are highly trained in fraud nation from their company Social Security Number, a nesses that are required to file detection and this is why the on behalf of the dogs and federal Employer Identifica- various tax returns. EIN is not considered sensi- dog handlers will need this tion Number (EIN) identi- tive information, and is freely number and we are happy to fies a business for tax pur- Contrary to some misconcep- distributed by many busi- share it with you. poses. tions, credit bureaus and nesses by way of publications credit issuers can tell the dif- and the internet. The number you need is Also called a Tax Identifica- ference between SSN and 13-4346918. We are happy tion Number (TIN), the EIN numbers. SSN numbers Supporters wishing to do an to answer any questions that EIN is issued by the Internal can be validated as to origin employee matching donation you may have and appreciate Revenue Service (IRS), and state / year of issuance. or those wanting to request a all donations that are made which uses this number to The credit bureaus and issuers grant or in-kind product do- to our organization.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base—MWDTSA visits NC
We stopped by Seymour John- son AFB in North Carolina for a quick kennel visit and staff recognition. We handed out T-shirts, KONGs and had a North Carolina style barbe- que lunch with some of the kennel staff. It was a great opportunity to introduce MWDTSA to these handlers, learn a bit about them and just kick back and relax for a few minutes in the company of good folks. To SJAFB Handlers- I cannot thank you guys enough for Thanks to the great kennel staff at Seymour Johnson AFB for sharing some of your day with their time and an opportunity to see Ralph work! us! Dixie Pa ge 7 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 3, Issue 5
www.mwdtsa.org Fabulous & Fabled MWDTSA T –Shirts On Sale
MWDTSA is excited to de- missions, and KONG toys but our five newest designs for play and rewards. For of fabulous MWD T-shirts the handlers, we may send a with an opportunity to ex- great pair of socks, coffees, pand your T-shirt collection, magazines, T-shirts or support the dog teams and grooming supplies. Perhaps save some real cash, too. It’s even a Twinkie or two. our T-shirt Extravaganza Sale and it starts now and Every package we send ends September 15th, 2011. brings a reminder of HOME and the knowledge that our For two weeks, you can pick teams are not alone, that we up this unbelievably awe- stand behind them and ap- some What Dogs Really preciate the difficult, dirty Want T-shirt at the regular and unheralded work they cost of $19.95 and get one do. Trust Your Dog T-shirt at $9.99. That’s a 50% dis- Have a look at our great new count on the second shirt. array of t-shirts and we think you will be delighted to send What Dogs Really Want us an order to expand your shirts are designed with now- Order here: http://www.mwdtsa.org/estore.html dog T-shirt wardrobe and retired Specialized Search simultaneously support Dog, Lucy’s, stylized photo retired designs with a shiny turned into FURminators, America’s Military Working taken when she was working Dog Teams. in eastern Afghanistan. updated new look, thanks to shampoos and pet wipes to the clever printing processes keep the dogs clean, the No cats were harmed in the We have always done fund- at Christian Print Shop, our highest quality dog treats raising with T-shirts. We are T-shirt vendor. Proceeds available, collapsible water making of these T-shirts. bringing back some of our from the T-shirt sales will be bowls for outside the wire A Personal Invitation to Handlers & MWDTSA Supporters
CBS may have killed Mike “A Christmas Snow”. Franks, his character on NCIS, but Muse Watson is still my The movie came out almost a year favorite actor. He has always ago and it is one of those lovely films been supportive of our efforts with a fabulous and uplifting message for the dogs and handlers. about forgiveness and the importance And, as a dog owner, he under- of family. stands the human-animal bond. For more information and to pur- If any MWDTSA supporters or chase tickets, you may contact The dog handlers will be in the Starlight Theatre box office at: 417- Branson, Missouri area during 337-9333 or go online at: the November-December time- http://www.starlitetheatre.com/ frame, be sure to stop by and see Muse in person at The And, if you get a chance to meet Mr. Starlite Theatre. He will reprise Watson after the play, please be sure his film role in the live stage to thank him for his support of Mili- adaptation of the movie, tary Working Dogs. Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc.
Sit. Stay. Support.
We supplied this MWDTSA team with several P. O. Box 5864 items, including Canton, GA 30114 Editor: Dixie Whitman some grooming supplies to get Phone: 404-451-2539 Jalk all spiffed up Email: [email protected] in time to meet General We are on the web!! Petraeus, as he retired from www.mwdtsa.org active duty. Jalk appears to be Follow our Blog for more photos. looking for an Please Recycle opportunity to by Sending to insert himself a Friend into the conversation between the general and the handler.
U.S. Army canine Staff Sgt. Rex and his handler, Staff Sgt. Cully Parr, with 1st Battalion, 78th Mili- tary Police Detach- ment, 89th Military Police Brigade, 2nd Heavy Brigade Com- bat Team, 3rd Infan- try Division, rest before a weapons cache search. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Reagan/Released)
Thank you, Hawaii Pacific University Student Nurses Association