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Reunion 2013 Updates

Reunion updates will be posted on Alumni Message Forum under Reunion - 2013.
Gary Smith on 03.03.13 @ 10:33 AM CST [link]

Wednesday, June 19th

Military Working Dog National Monument

We are in the final push to establish the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. Again, this is the first and only National Monument as established by Congressional legislation. I urge all of you to go to www.jbmf.us and learn the details of this project. We have a number of items that are available for a donation, not the least of which is the model of the monument itself.

This model is available in a 12" rosin or 12 and 18 inch solid silicone bronze. we have T-shirts and ball caps on display in the store as well. All donations are tax deductible. Talk to your employers about donating as well.

Jim Frost

[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 06.19.13 @ 12:44 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Monday, June 3rd

K9-Memorial at Airborne Special Operations Museum

smile
This was provided to me by Ted Rhodes 212th 69/70:

Take Care,

Gary

Gary Smith 981st 71/72

Thought you might be interested in this. http://sandhills.news14.com/content/local_news/sandhills/694814/construction-set-to-begin-on-fayetteville-k9-memorial-at-airborne-special-operations-museum

Hope you all are doing well.
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 06.03.13 @ 03:01 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Monday, March 25th

New Military Working Dog Story

big grin Here is a link to a story I read in the Spring issue of the USO magazine "On Patrol" . I hope you all enjoy it.
usoonpatrol.org/archives/2013/03/18/military-dogs-superior-senses
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 03.25.13 @ 11:30 AM CST [link] [No Comments]

Thursday, February 14th

Illinois: Military Dogs are Forgotton Heroes

Illinois: Military dogs are forgotten heroes
Feb. 11, 2013, 10:33 am
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Stephanie Hickman
The (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle

DEKALB — Nero isn't your average veteran.

He served with the U.S. Navy in a bomb detection unit in Iraq and protected more than 3,000 soldiers during his deployment. But what separates Nero from most veterans are his four legs and furry coat.

To fellow Iraq War veteran Danny Scheurer, Nero is more than a German shepherd. He is a hero. Both Scheurer and Nero were injured in the line of duty in Iraq. As a result, Scheurer receives roughly $1,000 per month from the government. Nero was in line for a different fate.

"His reward for getting injured was to be euthanized," Scheurer said.

Scheurer and Nero visited Northern Illinois University on Wednesday to raise awareness about military working dogs with stories similar to Nero's. NIU's Military Student Services and the Disability Resource Center hosted more than 100 students, veterans and community members at the presentation titled "The Other Forgotten Soldier."

As keynote speaker at the event, Scheurer also brought awareness to the Save-A-Vet program, which he founded in 2007 to prevent military working dogs such as Nero from being euthanized after their service.

The program takes in former military working dogs deemed unfit for adoption after their service. The Military Working Dog school at Lackland Air Force Base administers tests to determine whether or not the dogs can be adopted.

Scheurer said more than 4,500 dogs fail these tests because they have suffered injuries or have post-traumatic stress disorder from their time in the military.

The only people certified to take care of what the government considers "hazardous equipment" are veterans who have been given security clearance in their time of duty, which most military veterans have obtained.

Subhead: Returning the favor

Dogs have accompanied America's troops overseas since World War I. The U.S. armed forces are aided by a force of about 2,000 dogs. They are used to guard military bases, sniff out explosives and help with search and rescue operations.

According to Scheurer, the average deployed dog saves three to five soldiers per day. As founder and CEO of Save-A-Vet, he simply is returning the favor.

The program houses 13 veterans and their dogs, a number Scheurer hopes to increase dramatically in the future.

Many people at the event were eager to help the organization after hearing Scheurer's presentation and learning more about the program. Scheurer stressed that volunteering goes further than fundraising.

He said he hopes to work with many more colleges such as NIU to help raise awareness about the issue and get more hands to help him build the organization.

NIU business student and Navy veteran Thaddeus Hupp would like to lend one of those helping hands. He is working to set up a Save-A-Vet philanthropy at the College of Business.

Jarvis Purnell, acting director of Military Student Services at NIU, also was inspired by Scheurer's cause and said he hoped the other attendees were, too.

"The goal was to get the community out here, those connected with the military and those not connected, to become aware of the issues veterans face when they come home," he said.

Although he appreciates the effort many are making to help expand his organization, Scheurer said ideally the program wouldn't be necessary.

"If we don't have to exist anymore, that's a good thing," he said. "It means the government is doing their job."

The Save-A-Vet program is accepting applications for veterans interested in taking care of dogs similar to Nero. Scheurer said the job is simple.

"We just give them love and care," he said.

For former military working dogs such as Nero, that can make all the difference.

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Gary Smith on 02.14.13 @ 09:12 AM CST [link] [No Comments]

Monday, February 4th

Reunion 2011

DSCN8608 (133k image)
Do you remember the fun
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 02.04.13 @ 04:00 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Reunion 2013 Update

REUNION UPDATE:

The reunion is coming along. The only thing that is still needing to be nailed down is the bus transportation to Fort Leonard-Wood. We have fifteen guests reserved for the trip. We are more than half way there to filling a bus. I have been told by two members that they will be going on the bus trip along with spouses and guests. That should bump the number of riders to 19 or 20. If we exceed the 24 passenger bus we will move up to the 35 passenger bus.
Since the last newsletter was published we have had eleven more folks sign up. They are Bill and Joann McCloskey, Pedro and Lupe Moreno, Bill and Marilyn Griffin,
Joe Currier, Charles Birchard and Gerald and Joyce Droese.
Ernie Ayala and Fran with a guest as well as Jerry Miers 212th 67-68, Jerry’s wife, son and daughter-in-law are also coming.

Until the next update take care.

Gary Smith
31239 Kensington Park Drive
Spring, TX 77386

Cell: 713-614-2503
Email: puppy pusher@att.net

[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 02.04.13 @ 03:53 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Thursday, January 17th

Update on Statues

I was not able to include pictures. The link to see the pictures is at the end of the message.

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Jim Frost
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 8:11 PM
Subject: Update on statues

I talked to John Burnam this morning. They are still "wrapping" wrapping the truck and it may be a week before it hits the road. As of right now they are also waiting for clearance from the NFL to have it on site at the Super Bowl. But it WILL come thru Phoenix and stop here. I just don't know how much "lead time" I will have. I am hoping you great folks will get the word out as soon as I let everyone know. The way it looks, it will be set up outside the PetCo Store at the Arcadia Mall. Both PetCo and Natural Balance have invested a ton in this project to help make it a reality. That is located on 44th Street between Thomas Road and Oak Street. The store is closer to Oak than it is to Thomas. Here is the artist's rendition of the transport. The military is donating the cab for transport and allowing it to be wrapped.

Once it is known when it will be here, I will let you know ASAP. Get your cameras ready, have your picture taken with the statues, bring your leashed dogs and have fun viewing this impressive exhibit.
The official website for the National Monument is www.jbmf.us

Jim Frost
602-390-5950 cell phone
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 01.17.13 @ 02:17 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Saturday, December 29th

The Passing of Richard Thompson 212th 67/68

Fellow members I received the below email from William Griffin 212th 67/68.

I have some bad news regarding the passing of Richard Thompson (212th 67/68). The VA advised him that his prostrate cancer was a result of agent orange and he took the necessary steps...thought it was cured; but, it returned. I am copying Larry on this as well. Link to the obit below:

http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/article/20121107/NEWS/121109472/-1/news

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 12.29.12 @ 03:26 PM CST [link] [No Comments]

Rose Bowl Parade Entry 65 Canines with Courage

This was provided by Jim Frost. Furthur down here is a description of the National Monument. Scroll down.
Be sure to tune into the Rose Bowl Parade on January 1, 2013 at 9:30 AM Pacific Standard Time. Entry 65 will feature a float entitled "Canines with Courage" and sponsored by Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Food. It depicts the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument and salutes these brave and loyal canines. Four canine teams from each branch of the military will be on the float as well as John Burnam and Mike Dowling. Mike is the author of "Sgt Rex" , about his and Rex's experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Below is a link to the float description:

http://media.roseparade.net/mediaGuideFloat.asp?id=870

The bronze statues will be officially unveiled after the parade and will then go on a long tour before reaching their final destination an Lackland AFB, TX. I am fervently working with John to ensure they make a stop in the Valley!!!!

Also, on January 2, 2013 at 9:20 AM Mountain Standard Time, I am scheduled to be on Good Morning Arizona, Channel 3 here in Phoenix. I will be talking about the military working dog and the monument. Channel 3 does a live stream of their news programs on www.azfamily.com If you have a chance, tune in or watch it on their website. I'm really looking forward to it.

My next major booth setup will be at the Heart of the Desert Dog show, sponsored by the Sahuaro State Kennel Club and Lost Dutchman Kennel Club at the Arizona State Fairgrounds January 31 - Feb 4. A brand new T-Shirt and ballcap selection will be available.

Jim Frostn and check it out.
[Karma: 0 (+/-)]Gary Smith on 12.29.12 @ 11:37 AM CST [link] [No Comments]