Veterans remember canines with care packages

Air Force Links ^ | Staff Sgt. Phyllis Duff

[SandRat]

7/2/2006 - SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Erick Trusty is tired and dirty. Another day has come and gone that he survived.

At least on this day an improvised explosive device -- one of the enemy's deadliest weapons of choice in Iraq -- didn't hit his team. And the raid he and others carried out on a house full of weapons and munitions was a success.

Then the sergeant thinks about how much he misses his new bride back in Texas. But that doesn't last long. Before him his four-legged partner signals that there are other things to worry about.

"What did we get this time, Duko?" the sergeant asks as he pats his military working dog, a Belgian Malinois, on the head. Before their boots and paws is a cardboard box adorned with "God Bless Our Troops" and American flag stickers.

The tawny, black-masked 70-pound dog circles the dust-covered package, wagging his tail and sniffing furiously. This is a package they both know is safe.

Sergeant Trusty slits through the box's taped seams with his pocketknife. Both he and Duko know the package is for man's best friend. Duko's mouth waters for the chew treats sure to be in the box, which someone packed with great care.

The package is just one of the hundreds sent by caring Americans to military working dogs serving in the war zones.

"It's like you're a kid on Christmas morning -- yet the gifts are from complete strangers," the sergeant said. Most of the goodies are for Duko.

Sergeant Trusty just returned from an eight-month deployment to Forward Operating Base Kalsu, some 30 miles south of Baghdad. It was his fourth deployment in the seven years he has been in the Air Force.

The military has been using dogs in war for as long as there have been armies fighting wars.

"They are just a great companion, and deserve the best," the sergeant said.

Getting the care packages means a lot to Sergeant Trusty and the hundreds of other deployed security force troops and their canine warriors.

One of the best gifts he and Duko received was a portable misting fan, sent by a supporter from Crystal Beach, Texas.

On those scorching, dry-lipped days with no breeze, the fan helps cool down the dog "wearing the fur coat" in the desert. The sergeant, from Clear Lake, Texas, was touched by the gift even more so because it came from someone in his own state.

Before returning to the Military Working Dog Training Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Sergeant Trusty made sure that misting fan was passed on to his replacement. His dog would need it for sure.

Through a project known as "Old Dawgs and Pups," retired Master Sgt. Vernon Anderson of Cheyenne, Wyo., and hundreds of others are adopting deployed security force members and dog handlers. The veterans call themselves the "old Vietnam dog handlers" and refer to active military working dog handlers as "young pups."

In January 2003, groups of veterans who had served in Vietnam and Thailand during the Vietnam War wanted to support today's deployed dog handlers, he said.

"We decided that with the current conflicts going on in the Middle East, we did not want to see the young troops serving their country to be treated like we were during Vietnam," Mr. Anderson said.

"We felt it made no difference how you felt about the conflicts, the troops must be supported," he said.

The program was set up for military working dog handlers, who are paired with persons who want to correspond through letters and e-mails or to send small care packages, Mr. Anderson said.

The program unites troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and other areas with civilians or other servicemembers and their families who want to support them. The group does not limit itself to American servicemembers. It also reaches out to coalition forces.

The packages are a welcome treat. Some of the common gifts in the packages include cooling mats, food dishes, grooming tools and slickers, Mr. Anderson said.

No veteran has ever asked for any recognition for the adoptions, Mr. Anderson said.

"They are entirely satisfied with knowing that they have made a small difference in the life of our young servicemembers as reflected in the letters received from them," he said.

It is not just the Vietnam Security Police Association and the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association who are behind this program, he said. A vast number of the members, acting on their own, ensure the program carries on.

Grade school classes, civilians and active duty members -- some in the war zone themselves -- and their family members have all been helping out, Mr. Anderson said.

Staff Sgt. Pablo Martinez and his German shepherd partner, Argo, returned to Sheppard AFB, Texas, in April. Both are Purple Heart Medal recipients for wounds suffered in Iraq. While deployed to Kirkuk, the sergeant received care packages from Old Dawgs and Pups and former military working dog handlers.

The bonds and understanding of being a dog handler and security force member run deep, the sergeant said. It seems no one else could ever understand what these teams go through except "anyone else who carries a leash," he said.

"For someone to think of the other warfighter, man's best friend and comrade in arms, is just great," Sergeant Martinez said.

It was a huge morale booster when a package or letter would arrive from these former dog handlers.

"Argo got all the packages -- I was just the delivering service," Sergeant Martinez said. He still keeps in touch with three veterans who wrote to him.

"You don't find people like them," he said. "They gave me the words of encouragement I needed to get through."

Word about the security forces' donation programs has spread over the past three years and each day another person shows interest.

Staff Sgt. Patrick Smith, an integrated base defense instructor at Silver Flag Alpha at Creech AFB, Nev., helps train forward deploying security force members and their working dogs. Before handlers leave the intense combat training environment, Sergeant Smith, of Rockport, N.Y., makes sure every person is well aware of the veterans who want to help.

"The dogs want to just please whoever they're working for," Sergeant Smith said. "They deserve the best."

[SandRat]

A story on MWDs.

[LeoWindhorse]

great story ! How can we chip in and donate to the military working dogs 'treats fund' ?
I raise Malinois and I would love to participate .

[TASMANIANRED]

Nice story.

[magnum300]

http://www.vspa.com/k9/support.htm
and more info if you want to send packages



United States Post Office – Military Packs - HELP FOR THE TROOPS

For those of you who have an adoptee or met a young Security Forces troop in Valdosta who will be going back to Iraq soon, you can contact the US Postal Service and they will supply free packing materials and customs forms so that you can send the packages very efficiently and at a reduced cost.

US Postal Service helps support the troops free of charge!
The United States Postal Service is offering free packing materials to family and friends of military members deployed overseas to APO or FPO addresses. Here is how to take advantage of this service:

1: Call 1-800-527-1950
2: Then press “1” for English
3. The press “1” for Service Type (this will be answered by Customer Service

Once the operator answers, simply ask for the "Military Pack". They will send you free boxes, packing materials, tape and mailing labels. These products are to be used to mail care packages to service members.

The "Military Pack" includes the following items:
5 each - box, 12x12x8
5 each - box, 7x7x6
1 each - roll of Priority Tape
10 each - 106A address label
15 each - Form 2976A - Customs Form
15 each - Form 2976E - Envelope for Customs Form
5 each - Tyvek envelope (tear and water proof)

[SandRat]

http://www.vspa.com/k9/support.htm
and more info if you want to send packages



United States Post Office – Military Packs - HELP FOR THE TROOPS

For those of you who have an adoptee or met a young Security Forces troop in Valdosta who will be going back to Iraq soon, you can contact the US Postal Service and they will supply free packing materials and customs forms so that you can send the packages very efficiently and at a reduced cost.

US Postal Service helps support the troops free of charge!
The United States Postal Service is offering free packing materials to family and friends of military members deployed overseas to APO or FPO addresses. Here is how to take advantage of this service:

1: Call 1-800-527-1950
2: Then press “1” for English
3. The press “1” for Service Type (this will be answered by Customer Service

Once the operator answers, simply ask for the "Military Pack". They will send you free boxes, packing materials, tape and mailing labels. These products are to be used to mail care packages to service members.

The "Military Pack" includes the following items:
5 each - box, 12x12x8
5 each - box, 7x7x6
1 each - roll of Priority Tape
10 each - 106A address label
15 each - Form 2976A - Customs Form
15 each - Form 2976E - Envelope for Customs Form
5 each - Tyvek envelope (tear and water proof)

[Alberta's Child]

Dog lover ping!

[Calpernia]

Ping

[Calpernia]

Man's best friend Man's best friend Man's best friend Man's best friend Man's best friend Sergeant's job is for the dogs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Partners in the desert Partners in the desert Partners in the desert Adopting "Atticus" Four-legged partner Security forces work side by side with Soldiers in Iraq Remembering World War I veterans Remembering World War I veterans Staff Sgt. George Shepherd, 16th Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, runs Sarah, a 7-year-old Belgian malinios, through an obedience course at the military working dog facility. Although Sarah is the smallest MWD here, she is the fastest and the hardest hitting.

[Calpernia]

Man's best friend
Sergeant's job is for the dogs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. —
Staff Sgt. George Shepherd, 16th Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, runs Sarah, a 7-year-old Belgian malinios, through an obedience course at the military working dog facility. Although Sarah is the smallest MWD here, she is the fastest and the hardest hitting.

[Calpernia]

Man's best friend
Sergeant's job is for the dogs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Staff Sgt. George Shepherd, 16th Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, runs Sarah, a 7-year-old Belgian malinios, through an obedience course at the military working dog facility. Although Sarah is the smallest MWD here, she is the fastest and the hardest hitting.

[Calpernia]

Sergeant's job is for the dogs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. —
Staff Sgt. Jeremy Nichols and military working dog, Vaddy, arrive via on a C-17 Globemaster III at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Sergeant Nichols and Vaddy, a Belgian Malinois, are from the 28th Security Forces Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The team transited Ramstein on their way to a base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John E. Lasky)

[Calpernia]

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Partners in the desert
Staff Sgt. George Shepherd, 16th Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, runs Sarah, a 7-year-old Belgian malinios, through an obedience course at the military working dog facility. Although Sarah is the smallest MWD here, she is the fastest and the hardest hitting.

[Calpernia]

Partners in the desert
Staff Sgt. George Shepherd, 16th Security Forces Squadron K-9 handler, runs Sarah, a 7-year-old Belgian malinios, through an obedience course at the military working dog facility. Although Sarah is the smallest MWD here, she is the fastest and the hardest hitting.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Our Lutherans for Life Chapter regularly send packages to soldiers in Iraq. I guess we'll have to start including misting fans and other doggie treats.

[Calpernia]

Four-legged partner

[LeoWindhorse]

great followup info ! Thanks alot !

[LeoWindhorse]

Man! I just love my Malinois! To see these pictures here
of Malinois at 7 yrs old and fully trained and performing like this is so great! Mine are not even yearlings and already they are the smartest , most loving , attentive ,devoted , willing to please dogs I have ever owned and I have owned many different breeds over the years . Malinois are hands down the most impressive. I can't wait! Every day it is a total joy to get up and start interacting with these wonderful animals .
May God bless and look after all of those nobly serving with our Armed Forces , may all return safe & sound. (along with their handlers!)

[Calpernia]

There is one up for adoption

http://dodmwd.lackland.af.mil/adoption_list.php

The DoD Dog Center has on occasion dogs available for adoption by the public. This is due to either medical or training failures.

Current Available Dogs

Breed	Sex	Name	ID#	Location	Whelp Date (Birth Date)
Belgium Malinois	M	Cliff (pending)	B128	Lackland AFB TX	6/1/97

[LeoWindhorse]

thanks maam ! I got my hands full with the ones I got.
b'sides , they'd need to go thru quarantine to reach me!