鈥淏ow-wow, bow-wow, arf-arf, woof!鈥� That鈥檚 dog-speak for National K-9 Veterans Day, celebrated on March 13 and commemorating the service and sacrifices of American military dogs throughout history.听

The United States had an unofficial canine force in World War I. Military dogs, however, were not officially recognized until听March 13, 1942, when a private organization, Dogs for Defense, was established to recruit the public鈥檚 dogs for the U.S. military鈥檚 War Dog Program. Thus, the K-9 Corps was born. Often referred to as the 鈥渦nsung heroes of the battlefield,鈥� war dogs stand beside their handlers facing danger and providing protection for thousands of men and women in combat.

In recognition of National K-9 Veterans Day, the following three stories of dogs from different conflicts exemplify the honor and courage of our country鈥檚 military working dogs.

Stubby: WWI Hero Promoted to Sergeant

While training in New Haven, CT, soldiers befriended a mixed breed dog who seemed to enjoy their company. They named him Stubby. Smuggled to Europe by his new friends, Stubby became the unofficial mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 26th Yankee Division.

In France the fearless pup participated in 17 battles and four offensives on the Western Front. Stubby鈥檚 patriotic contributions included alerting troops to incoming mustard gas attacks, comforting the wounded, locating missing soldiers lost between the trenches, and boosting morale. Stubby allegedly caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him until American soldiers assumed responsibility.

General John 鈥淏lack Jack鈥� Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, presented America鈥檚 four-legged hero with a gold medal, praising his 鈥渉eroism of the highest caliber鈥� and 鈥渂ravery under fire.鈥� Stubby is the first dog to be nominated and promoted to sergeant through combat. His remains lie in the Smithsonian Institution.

Stubby was promoted to Sergeant in WWI and received a gold medal from General John Pershing.

Smoky: WWII鈥檚 Smallest Soldier

Slogging through a dense New Guinea jungle during WWII, an American GI heard a puppy yapping and discovered a 4-pound 17鈥� tall Yorkshire Terrier in an abandoned foxhole. Smoky was adopted by Corporal William Wynne and the inseparable duo spent the next two years braving a kamikaze attack, heat, limited rations, typhoons, air raids, combat missions and parachute jumps. Smoky had her own homemade parachute.

Smoky’s most famous exploit occurred in January 1945 on a Japanese island when, encouraged and directed by Wynne, she crawled through a narrow sand-filled 70-foot-long 8-inch-wide culvert with a telephone cable attached to her collar.听 Her courage spared GIs from exposure to enemy bombs and bullets.

When the war ended Wynne smuggled the tiny dog back to the U.S. in an oxygen mask carrying case. Dubbed “Yorkie Doodle Dandy,” Smoky became a celebrity as well as听the world’s first therapy dog, visiting wounded veterans in hospitals across the nation.

Nemo: Wounded in Action in Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, German Shepherd Dog Nemo and his partner, Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg served as a sentry dog team in the 377th Air Police Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon.

On December 3, 1966, two VC units tried to infiltrate the base. Thorneburg and Nemo were on sentry duty at an old Vietnamese graveyard near the air base鈥檚 runways. Nemo detected several VCs making an assault and sounded the alert. Thorneburg was shot in the shoulder and Nemo was shot in the muzzle, the bullet exiting through his right eye.

Ignoring his serious head wound, the 85-pound shepherd attacked the four Vietcong guerillas, giving Thorneburg time to call in backup to secure the attack. Only then were man and man鈥檚 best friend medevacked to safety. The base veterinarian performed surgery, but Nemo lost his right eye. In July 1967, he returned to the states as the first sentry dog officially retired from active service.

Credited with saving Thorneburg鈥檚 life, Nemo was hailed as a hero. He was taken on tours throughout the U.S. and lived in a special kennel at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas until his death in 1972.

In Vietnam, military dogs were credited with saving the lives of 10,000 men, although many handlers who served there feel this number is grossly underestimated. Of approximately 87,000 missions, the dogs uncovered 2,000 tunnels and bunkers and enabled 1,000 enemy captures and 4,000 enemy kills. (From 鈥淲AR DOGS: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love鈥� by Rebecca Frankel.)

Sadly, Nemo was one of only 200 of the 4,000听dogs who served in the Vietnam War who returned home after the war ended.听Their handlers and other veterans continued to fight for the rights of war dogs, pushing for legislation to create a program听for their adoption. As a result, Congress passed 鈥淩obby鈥檚 Law,鈥� signed by President Clinton in 2000, ensuring that dogs now serving in the U.S. military will have a home when they finish their service.

Nemo lost an eye during the Vietnam War, which did not deter the courageous attack which saved his handler. He was retired to Lackland, AFB, in Texas and made numerous national tours.

Today’s military working dogs will return home, thanks to “Robby’s Law,” passed in 2000. No dogs left behind.

鈥淲e plan to open on March first with an exciting new look,鈥� said Kotlowski.

鈥淭hanks to the loyal participation of hard-working volunteers who show up each scheduled workday, we鈥檝e accomplished much more than the renovation of our galleries,鈥� he continues. 鈥淲e鈥檝e changed the traffic pattern to make it easily accessible to seniors and individuals with wheelchairs and walkers. And we鈥檝e designed new exhibits, including a gallery dedicated to the U.S. Air Force.鈥�

Upon entry to the museum, the entire right wall of the long corridor now houses bronze Honor Wall plaques which reflect the sacrifices of our country鈥檚 service men and women. Visitors may purchase a plaque in the name of a loved one, living or deceased, who served our country. The other side of the hallway displays photos of local WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans under the sign, 鈥淟ocal Heroes鈥�.

In the lobby, across from the volunteer station, attractive benches have been added to offer a comfortable space where guests may relax, share stories, and converse with our knowledgeable museum docents called Pathfinders.

Volunteerism is the heart of the Veterans History 探花精选
of the Carolinas.

There is no paid staff. Yet the benefits of involvement with the museum far outweigh the time and effort donated. In the words of Winston Churchill, 鈥淲e make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.鈥�

Writings By Brothers and Sisters Like These

The following poem, written by Carl Zipperer, is part of a combat healing process in which members of the
NC Veterans Writing Alliance perform public readings of their work in a program called Brothers and Sisters
Like These. The group鈥檚 mission is to provide healing to veterans of all conflicts through the arts and creative
writing.

What Healing Looks Like

By Carl Zipperer

Mountains out my window rise steeply across the valley — past times drift through my mind
Young, defiant brown men and women defend their country — invaders kill, destroy, spoil.
Life snuffed — incoming rockets, bullets, mortars, smoke — fire in the hole — mangled bodies.
In between death, there is so much beauty — people, clear blue ocean, long sandy beaches.
Flashes of long-ago barge into my mind — hover, clear for takeoff — in the red
Everyday thoughts, memories — young men who forever and always will remain young to us.
Never having peace — thoughts surround me — create visions of the past good and bad.
One life lived seeing my brother's hand covering, weeping at the Missing Man Table
With tilted chair empty — plate with a lemon slice and salt — a candle, a rose, a flag
No longer striving mentally to control the anger surging up within me
Or having to apologize for launching into a rage — face red, gritting teeth
My daydreams no longer interrupted — scenes barging in from so many years ago
Only warm feelings of love, friendship, camaraderie, fill my heart for the Lost Ones
Relieved of the burden of survival, standing beside those Brave Souls who did not
Echoes of voices from past — crackling radios squelch never play hell in my ears
Pictures of that dying young man, guts spilled on a mat on my cargo floor leave me
Tears of past agony stop flowing from my eyes — no blood. bones. severed limbs. remembered
So when will peace and compassion ever become our object — no more war by Man
Hit the ground, Stupid!
Damn the holiday firecrackers I must never again flinch
When there were feelings so low, sad, down, anxious, mad, grief, just plain tired,

Help came to make me finally see what was happening — how to grieve and have peace
Live life sans old pain, remorse, loud echoes — brutal sights, PULL FULL COLLECTIVE PITCH
LEVER!
Life beginning over, brighter, happy, peace, more body pain now — much less mind pain

Carl Zipperer served as a Warrant Officer Aviator in the US Army. His enlistment included a one-year term in Vietnam from July 1970 to July 1971 with the 176 Assault Helicopter Company.

For more information about this group, visit their website at or contact the
group鈥檚 President, Steve Henderson at 828-606-5988.

Brothers and Sisters Like These

On Saturday, October 21, military veterans of different eras gathered at Brevard College to read their stories, essays, and poetry. The venue is part of a project called 鈥淏rothers and Sisters Like These,鈥� a series of writing workshops designed to help heal veterans with PTSD and mild TBI (traumatic brain injury).

Ten men and women from the Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts courageously opened their hearts to an attentive audience who left with a new understanding and respect for all who have served in combat zones. The event was sponsored by the 探花精选.

Writing Helps the Healing Process

An estimated 250,000 Vietnam veterans are living with PTSD five decades after the end of the war. Research indicates that approximately听14% to 16%听of the US service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have been affected by PTSD or depression. Clearly, the unseen wounds of these veterans affect all aspects of their lives, and our communities.
The NC Veterans Writing Alliance developed a creative writing program where veterans unburden themselves in a safe, non-judgmental setting. The writing process helps heal what remains wounded as veterans reach within themselves to free their memories and their hearts.

In 2018, a group of veterans agreed to participate in a staged reading at the Asheville Community Theater titled 鈥淏rothers Like These.鈥� The program鈥檚 success has morphed to include veterans of later conflicts and is now titled 鈥淏rothers and Sisters Like These.鈥�

Demons Released

Reading to a respectful and somber audience in an intimate classroom at Brevard College, the ten men and women who spoke addressed the many 鈥渄emons鈥� of combat: illness from Agent Orange, thoughts of suicide, the loss of comrades, returning to 鈥渢he world,鈥� and the sights, sounds, and smells of war.

One Iraqi War veteran told his listeners he was reading publicly for the first time. Visibly shaken and struggling, he 鈥渟oldiered鈥� through his presentation reading a letter he had written to himself. 鈥淭hrough pain and the process of healing, you will grow the most. You may not win the lottery, but you will be a better man.鈥�

A Vietnam War veteran wrote: 鈥淭hank you for allowing me to 鈥榬elease鈥� another demon.鈥�

A Mutual Gift

These stories of war and its consequences are offered at a great emotional cost by men and women who trust an audience enough to stand before them and bare their souls. They draw us together and offer a lesson in history. We return their extraordinary gift of faith with one of our own: open hearts and the gift of listening.

Participants in this therapeutic writing experience are compelled not only by the healing they鈥檝e experienced, but also by the powerful collateral benefits among their families and communities. 鈥淚n war, there are no unwounded soldiers,鈥� states the writing group鈥檚 president, Stephen Henderson.

These veteran brothers and sisters invite the community to bear witness to their stories of healing in an intimate setting at Brevard College鈥檚 McLarty Goodson Hall, Room 125 on the building鈥檚 ground floor. McLarty Goodson is the first building on the right when entering through the college鈥檚 main entrance, across from the small shopping center. Signs and volunteers will be available to guide guests to the lecture room.

For information about Brothers and Sister Like These, call Michel Robertson at 828-506-6603.

The mission of the Veterans History 探花精选 is to honor our nation鈥檚 veterans, educate the public, and preserve important historic artifacts. The 探花精选 reflects a love of country and gratitude to those who serve it by remembering and celebrating their service. Located at 21 E. Main Street in Brevard, NC, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, September 15, National POW/MIA Recognition Day

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we remember the debt we owe to our nation鈥檚 prisoners of war and those unaccounted for from past conflicts. 听According to the Defense Department鈥檚 Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office, the number of POWs and those missing in action is more than 83,000. 鈥淲e are proud to present this program on the official day of recognition,鈥� said museum President, David Morrow, 鈥渁nd we greatly appreciate Dave Grant鈥檚 willingness to speak about his experiences.鈥�听

The mission of the Veterans History 探花精选 is to honor veterans, educate the public, and preserve important military artifacts. 鈥淭he best way to preserve our country鈥檚 military history is to listen and learn from the stories of our veterans,鈥� said Michel Robertson, author of Welcome 探花精选, Brother: Memoirs of Vietnam War Veterans. 鈥�We are proud to offer this event to the public on this national day of recognition.鈥�

(WCC) – recovering veterans in a mission of training future service dogs

Every week, Labrador and Golden Retrievers are changing the lives of veterans with visible and invisible wounds at Asheville and Hendersonville area training centers. (WCC), a national program based in Maryland, established a branch in Asheville in 2018. Using a unique model known as 鈥淢ission Based Trauma Recovery,鈥� WCC enlists recovering veterans in a mission of training future service dogs for their fellow combatants.

By interacting with the canines as they journey from puppyhood through training to adult service dogs, volunteer veterans called Warrior Trainers benefit from a highly therapeutic animal-human connection. As a result of their efforts, other veterans with disabilities receive the finest trained service dogs. The program offers a win-win situation for the veterans and active service members both training and receiving service dogs.

WARRIOR TRAINER: Warrior Trainers engage in the therapeutic mission of training young dogs to become Service dogs for veterans with disabilities.

Training centers are located in the Asheville area and in Hendersonville at the Veterans Healing Farm. This growing program is seeking volunteers on two fronts: as Puppy Parents who foster retrievers until approximately two years of age, and as Warrior Trainers who learn to train the young dogs under the professional supervision of WCC staff members.

I was privileged to observe one such training class at Groce United Methodist Church in Asheville and to speak with volunteers working in these two vital training capacities.

Volunteers like Matt Estridge (Warrior Trainer) and Robin Martin (Puppy Parent) are the backbone of WCC. As trained, WCC’s “Joy” keeps her eyes on her trainer.

Coast Guard veteran Ian offers WCC’s “Bryce” a reward for a job well done.听

Vietnam War Army veteran Johnny Martinez rewards WCC’s “Mark” who ignored food on the ground when instructed.听

WCC “SMITH”:听听From birth to final placement with a “forever veteran,” each WCC dog touches the lives of 60 veterans.

AMY AND GANG: WCC staff members (L-R) Amy Guidash, Michele Tate, and Sarah Moffitt enjoy a break in training with WCCs “Bryce.”听

The human-animal connection is amazing

Warrior trainers also work outside the classroom. According to Matt, this experience helped transform him. 鈥淏ecause of PTSD, often when I go outside I try to be invisible. I鈥檓 on a mission. But with these dogs, it鈥檚 impossible. It鈥檚 hard for people not to see me. The human-animal connection is amazing. The dogs can see what鈥檚 going on inside of you, and help you. I became more confident and relaxed in public.鈥�

For Warrior Trainers like Matt, recovering from their own psychological injuries, training a service dog for a fellow veteran provides a valuable opportunity to reintegrate into civilian life. As part of their training, warriors have the responsibility to teach the dogs that the world is a safe place. Through this process, they must convince themselves of the same.

Matt recently completed applying for his own service dog. He鈥檚 looking forward to the day he has his lifetime partner. Meanwhile, he continues his own recovery while helping others. 鈥淚 know these dogs are going to change veterans鈥� lives.鈥�

When they鈥檙e approximately two years old, after enhancing the lives of so many along the way, the retrievers return to Maryland for Advanced Training and final placement with their 鈥渓ifetime veterans.鈥� According to WCC, from birth to final placement with his or her lifetime veteran, each service dog helps the lives of 60 warriors.

You can help 鈥� Volunteer!

To learn more about Warrior Canine Connection, Puppy Parenting, and Warrior Training programs, or to volunteer, please contact Amy Guidash at aguidash@warriorcanineconnection.org. Anyone is eligible to become a puppy parent, and veterans and/or their family members are eligible to help train impressive dogs like Mark and Joy.

Top photo: WCC’s “PATTY” is one of many Labrador and Golden Retrievers听assisting veterans in their journey of recovery from visible and invisible wounds.

Article by Michel Robertson听