DOGMAN
June 2002
Page 5
MAIL CALL!
would be greatly appreciated.
to find.
$2,500 is
Gary A. Gruenwald
Any practical information is
Former Sergeant of Marines
welcomed.
usmcgman74@juno.com
raised
My name is SSG (army)
Dogs and handlers will be
P.O. Box 656
trained to detect ordinance and
Regina R. Johnson, I'm a
New Market, Md. 21774
E-mail your letters
bombs and trained for security
military working dog handler
....Continued from Page 4
purposes on the grounds.
stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas.
for Mail Call!
delight of the crowd. Witnessing
I am looking for Paul
I'm going to need help to
The reason I'm writing to you
to:
the close bond Gunny shares
make this dream come true.
is I would like to share my story
Sanchez. He and I were stationed
with his handler reminded us all
Thanks in advance for any and
of my retired MWD Blackie
at Fairchild AFB in Washington
VDHAdogman
that the past generations of K9
all help.
W220.
State in 1961-65.
working dogs and handlers have
@mac.com
Keith Alan Ross
I know there are SO many
K-9 Duty section Paul got out
truly paved the way to train and
people out there who wish they
keithalanross@yahoo.com
in the summer of 1965 and
guide present and future K9
could've done something for
returned to New Mexico.
teams.
their working dogs. There was a
I was sent to TSN without my
In World War II we had a
However, last Veterans Day
story written at Lackland that
dog 1965. I and about 10 other
another reporter asked readers to
Lake Farmpark's Working
war dog platoon, that was on
stated there was a Marine that
dog handlers from the K-9
send in stories on the flag that
Dog Weekend -- VDHA
Peleliu, that was done away with
was adopting the first MWD,
section in 1961-65 plan to meet
they fly and why it is special to
President John Burnam was also
from what I understand as they
I've been told that he was not
in Spokane in late May 2002.
you. I wrote a story on the flags
a guest speaker at Lake
panted so loud they gave away
able to. We have also been
Any help you might come up
that were given to us at the
Farmpark in Kirtland, Ohio on
our position at close tolerance
informed that our two dogs from
with finding Paul Sanchez would
Riverside dedication -- it is in
April  27-28  (see  http://
with enemy on front lines.
Ft. Hood were the first adopted
be appreciated.
the back window of my truck. I
w w w. l a k e m e t r o p a r k s . c o m /
They were doberman pincers
out.
Mike True Grand Coulee
told the story of the war dogs and
HTML/LFP/working_dog.htm).
and as I remember some their
I took Blackie home Sept. 15
shadowe646@cuonlinenow.com.
included a picture of the
Burnam spoke three separate
tongues seemed so parched. The
2001. We also adopted out
home phone 509 633 3184
memorial.
times in the theater of the Visitor
temperature ranged somewhere
another MWD, Lex, to another
Roy Johnson, supporter
Center
from 70 degrees at night to 120+
one of our handlers.
Air Dog Jay, 6932 RAF
I'm wondering if this will
during daytime.
Dog Days at the Cleveland
Regina Johnson
20th SPS K-9 Section
strike a memory for anyone.
Museum of Natural History --
I heard they were ordered
RAF Wethersfield AFB
MWDpuppy@aol.com
The next major dog event will be
destroyed by the commander, of
The 25th Infantry was
k9sentry@greatnorthern.net
in Cleveland, Ohio. The theme
First of all, I'd like to
the operation. Do you know
checking the results of a B-52
My father was a WWII
is "Dogs in Art" on Aug. 10-11.
anything of this matter?
strike that was made on a
thank you all for being a part of
suspected NVA bunker complex.
The folks at k9hero.com are
veteran in the 4th army in
Before we made the Peleliu
an organization that epitomizes
We were inserted by chopper at
seeking artists willing to display
N.Africa and Italy. He was
Operation 9/15/44, I used to see
the true essence of camaraderie,
first light and the C.O. was
their work at this event. We also
decorated a purple heart, and was
these dogs almost every day, as
and I feel honored to be a part of
pushing us to cover ground to
encourage veteran war dog
discharged as a technical
I passed their area approximately
this group of men and women.
get in contact with the NVA.
handlers interested in sharing
sergeant. He was always a dog
a  half  mile  from  my
I first walked a dog stateside
their personal stories to contact
lover and told me about the dogs
encampment. I saw them being
We had a handler with a
at a Nike Herc site in Southern
Tracey
Dixon
at
that helped his platoon in WWII.
fed raw meat (probably horse) at
German shepherd who reported
California in 66. I was sent over
td@K9hero.com. Our web site
He died Sept. 24, 2001 at age of
feeding time by their handlers.
the dog alerted and this
as a straight leg MP much to my
links to the VDHA and memorial
84. I told Pop I would find the
information was relayed back to
I served with 1st Marine
chagrin. It took me three months
fund web sites, and we
VDHA and make a donation in
the C.O., but he just told us to
Division during WW II from
to get "Thunder," and for the rest
encourage public support.
his honor. I also was one of the
keep moving out.
early 1943 until December 1945.
of my tour (1967-68), I had the
first 50 to donate to the
My platoon was on point and
pleasure of being his handler.
Hank Coleman
construction of the WWII
Treasurer's
I could tell by the look in the
Oct. 31st found us both in
MarineHank@hotmail.com
memorial. I also lost several
handler's eyes that there was
Saigon at the 212th when Ky's
friends in the Vietnam War,
Report
trouble ahead. We stopped the
Palace was rocketed. Two other
which I was in the 1st and 2nd
I am writing a book about
company, and I and two others
handlers, John Campbell and
by JOHN SCIASIA
lotteries in 1968 and 1969.
checked the area ahead.
the 26th Marines Iwo Jima -
Charlie Davis, and I guarded
VDHA Treasurer
Please contact me at Billy Viger
I shot one NVA running and
Vietnam. I am trying to locate all
Vice President Humphrey that
3188 Westfield Way Roswell,
the woods opened up with AK-
dog handlers who were assigned
night. It was an honor then and
Treasurer's Report effective
Ga. 30075, 770-587-3188hp,
47 fire. We let loose with frags
or supported them. If you could
it still is now looking back in
May 15, 2002, the date of the
770 345-1474 ext 177 wp,
and the M-60s came forward.
please put something in your
reflection of those times.
most current bank statement of
bviger@cherokee.k12.ga.us, fax
Had it not been for the handler's
newsletter, I sure would
the Vietnam Dog Handlers:
That brings me to how 9/11
770-345-5498 Thanks a lot.
firmness to stress the danger, we
appreciate it. Your organization
affected many of us. For myself,
Checking: $2,579.72
Billy Viger
probably would had many men
will be listed in my book along
it was a metaphorical call to
Savings Account: $32,442.70
bviger@cherokee.k12.ga.us
walk into the killing zone.
with the War Dog Memorial info
arms. What first started out as a
($3,675.00 of the $32,442.70
and stories.
I believe that handler and dog
hazy vision of what could
is reserved for meals at the
saved my life and the lives of
Several weeks ago the
We are also having a reunion
happen has evolved into an
reunion already received from
others. We lost one man, Danny
on Aug. 30 - Sept. 1, 2002, at the
ongoing and every growing
local newspaper wanted veterans
members planning to attend.)
Auveshine, to a head wound. He
Key Bridge Marriott Hotel in
certainty.
to tell a story about their military
is partially paralyzed on his right
Arlington, Va.
National War Dog Memorial
I have bought eight acres in
service. I decide to tell about the
side but has a good attitude and
Fund as of May 9, 2002, the most
We would like to see the war
the lakes region of Minnesota. It
day that I returned my dog to the
is doing well on his Texas ranch.
current statement.
dog handlers at the event. I also
is my dream and belief that this
RAF Dog training Centre at
I don't know the name of the
have a picture my brother gave
country still needs the help from
Checking: $ 100.16
RAF Debden, England. I also
handler or his magnificent dog
me showing a dog handler with
our K-9 friends and trusted
spoke on being a handler and
Regular Savings: $10,773.28
but I want to thank him and all
his dog prior to mounting out on
companions. I'm looking for
how I was glad that I had the
Investment CD: $79,926.03
the fellows that kept the men of
an Op. I need to have him
input and insight from those of
opportunity to work with Jay.
Total in Accounts: $90,799.47
the 25th alive and alert.
identified if possible.
you who still deal with K-9
If you would like to use this
issues and organizations.
Thank you all. You are unsung
My brother was seriously
$2,170.00 paid to Graphic
story for mail call, please do so.
heroes.
wounded on Meade River on 4
I plan to build a kennel for
Services, Inc. Expenditure on
I did mention the VDHA in the
Les Knott
Dec 1968. I am writing the book
about 12 dogs -- FM2020 is the
behalf of the National War Dog
article but the reporter edited out
les.knott.bxs4@statefarm.com
because of him. Any assistance
military field manual that I need
Memorial Committee.
due to the space.