Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

A front view of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
A map of the United State showing the location of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
Location Bexar County, Texas, United States
Nearest city San Antonio, TX
Coordinates 29°23′26″N 98°37′01″W / 29.390433°N 98.617067°WCoordinates: 29°23′26″N 98°37′01″W / 29.390433°N 98.617067°W
Governing body Department of Defense
http://www.jbmf.us/

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Built with donations raised by the John Burnam Memorial Foundation and dedicated during a military ceremony with full honors on October 28, 2013, it is inscribed with the words "Dedicated to all U.S. Military Working Dog Handlers and their beloved dogs who defend America from harm, defeat the enemy, and save lives."[1]

The Monument

Servicemembers stand guard at the monument unveiling

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument consists of five bronze sculptures sitting on a granite pedestal which is inscribed, "Guardians of America's Freedom."[2] The center bronze sculpture depicts a life-like modern day Military Working Dog Handler wearing combat gear and holding a dog leash in his left hand and a M4 rifle in his right hand. The remaining bronze sculptures depict four of the more common breeds of Military Working Dogs utilized by the United States Department of Defense throughout history, including a Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois.[3] To the rear of the pedestal is a granite wall containing information about the history of the Military Working Dog program on the front, and images of Military Working Dog Teams in action during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and War in Afghanistan on the back. Behind the wall, the five service flags of the branches of the Department of Defense are displayed. To the side of the monument is the "Not Forgotten Fountain", a bronze sculpture depicting a Vietnam War dog handler pouring water from a canteen into his helmet,[4] a common way of providing water for dogs while in the field. The water from the fountain falls from the helmet into a small pool for dogs to drink from during their visit to the monument. The "Not Forgotten Fountain" is a tribute to the war dogs left behind during the Vietnam War. Additionally, the monument is lit at night with soft lighting, providing a startlingly different perspective than what can be seen during the day.

History

John Burnam, the founding member of the John Burnam Memorial Foundation, was a United States Army Infantryman and scout dog handler during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968.[5] He later created the John Burnman Memorial Foundation, which raised $2 million to build and maintain the monument. The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was authorized with the passage of Public Law 110-181, Section 2877,[6] (having been introduced to Congress by Rep. Walter B. Jones) which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. The monument was built next to the Basic Military Training Parade Field at Lackland AFB, that location being chosen due to the historical significance of the base as the training center and headquarters of the United States Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program.

Design

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument design was created by the John Burnam Memorial Foundation and approved by the United States Department of Defense. The bronze sculptures were created by artist and bronze sculptor Paula Slater.

Lieutenant General Holmes speaks at the dedication ceremony

Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was unveiled during a dedication ceremony with full military fanfare on October 28, 2013, an event covered by many local and national news organizations. Members of the public were invited to attend.[7][8]

Public Access

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is located on a secure United States Air Force Installation. However, Public Law 110-181 requires the Department of Defense to provide reasonable access to the monument by visitors and their dogs. Therefore, members of the public (and their dogs) who wish to visit the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument can access the installation to see the monument by requesting a base pass at the Lackland Air Force Base visitor control centers. The pass is limited to four hours of base access and can only be used to visit the monument.[9]

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ John Burnam Memorial Foundation. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. 2013. Bronze and marble. Lackland AFB, TX.
  2. ↑ John Burnam Memorial Foundation. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. 2013. Bronze and marble. Lackland AFB, TX.
  3. ↑ U.S. military dedicates first national monument to combat dogs, Reuters, October 30, 2013
  4. ↑ Hero Dogs of the Military Finally Get a National Monument, Pets Advisor Buzz, November 5, 2013
  5. ↑ Bio of John Burnam, President, JBMF Inc.
  6. ↑ Public Law 110-181, Public Law 110-181, January 28, 2008
  7. ↑ U.S. Military Dedicates First National Monument to Combat Dogs, Yahoo News, October 28, 2013
  8. ↑ New MWD monument meaningful to fallen handler's family, JBSA Lackland Public Affairs, November 7, 2013
  9. ↑ Memorandum for Record, Commander, 802d Security Forces Squadron, October 31, 2013

External links