Kiko's Korner

War Memorials with wagging tails

War-serving kings of the 'Tailwagging Society' will be immortalized in bronze in the first official war memorial on American soil.

Joyful barking will be heard throughout the land.

The state of New Jersey will place an official war dog memorial alongside the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Holmdel, N.J.

"It will be the first official memorial that honors these dogs," said Ron Aielllo, president of the United States War Dog Association, and a former Marine scout dog handler who served in Vietnam.

Although they sometimes have been taken for granted, man's best friend has contributed to U.S. war efforts for many years. Dogs save lives, save the day and add a welcome comfort in the cold stark theatre of war.

"Military canines make contributions every day while they serve in our military. They are hard working and do a great job of saving the lives of their handlers and the troops who walk in their footsteps," says Aiello.

In smalltown America, lively endearing dogs are part of the every day landscape. It is only fitting that they will now take their place on memorials to remind us of their superb and loyal war service.

Lucky for the United States War Dogs Association that their president is a former Marine scout dog handler. The association raised most of the funds for the war dog memorial on its own and hired Bruce Lindsay to design a statue of dog and handler. ART Research, in Lancaster, Pa., will cast the bronze statue in the near future, and the memorial will likely be dedicated this May or June.

Nor are Aiello and association members stopping in New Jersey. They would also like to see a national war dog memorial built in Washington, D.C., but admit, "That's a long term project though."

Other accolades are in the works to honour war dogs. The association has already petitioned to have the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative stamp for military working dogs.

Thanks to the association, the end of the military careers for aging war dogs is one filled with comfort and love. The association helps to find loving homes for retired military and police dogs.

"Today the military has a retirement program for their canines. When a canine is too old to work it is retired and put into the adoption program," Aiello explained. "This program was authorized back in November of 2000 by Congress."

Active soldier dogs are not neglected while the focus is on finding homes for their retiring counterparts.

Aeillo makes it a point to reach out to today's active military dog handlers He has sent numerous care packages to dog teams serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq.

"I like to mix it up, if I put some beef jerky in the package for the handler, I'll put a chew toy in for the dog."

Both President George W. Bush and former Presisdent Bill Clinton have signed legislation that benefits military dogs.

In December, President Bush signed a Defense Appropriations Bill that enables military working dogs to retire early to be adopted by their handlers following an injury.

Statues and memorials have long paid tribute to human heroes. Now, in addition to the ones already enshrined in the human heart, dogs will take their place in hero landscape.