Save the date: United States War Dogs Association fundraisers

“A dog’s loyalty is one unquestionable strength in the process of war,” wrote Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dog Association (USWDA).

There are approximately 2,800 to 3,000 war dogs stationed around the world, aiding all branches of the Armed Forces.

To support these “silent heroes”, former and current US military dog handlers founded the USWDA, INC. as a nonprofit organization. Their goals include “promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs, establishing permanent War Dog Memorials, and educating the public about the invaluable service of these canines to our country.”

The LRHS National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes the USWDA as a worthy cause to invest effort in. Consequently, there will be a series of events in June which community members will be encouraged to participate in.

NHS will be holding a supply drive June 5 through June 10 to collect items for dogs and their handlers.

On Friday, June 9, students will participate in a walk-a-thon, earning donations from friends, family, and community members.

On Saturday, June 10, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., a car washing and dog walking event will be held at the high school baseball fields. Again, students and community members will be encouraged to attend.

More information will be distributed closer to the events, but for now, patriotic readers are simply asked to save the dates.

A prominent goal of USWDA is educating the public on the history of war dogs.

Dogs have a military background extending centuries into history. In military forces within the Roman Empire, dogs would be gathered in columns, equipped with armor and “spiked collars,” Sergeant Tracy English wrote in The Quiet Americans: A History of Military Working Dogs.

While Great Britain used Mastiffs to defend against Caesar’s invasions in 55 BC, “Napoleon was probably the first one to make use of the dog’s superior senses by chaining them to the walls of Alexandria, using them to warn of an impending attack,” Sgt. English explained.

During World War 1, the Germans, French, and Belgians used war dogs as messengers and as part of ambulance services.

“The first modern push for the use of dogs in the <American> military had purely patriotic origins,” reflected Sgt. English. “In the late 1930’s and early 40s, many influential breeders had formed groups to urge the military to use dogs. One of the most famous groups was ‘Dogs for Defense,’ led by a group of professional breeders, [that] came into being immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor.”

Since the early 1940s, dogs have continued to play an important role in the safety of U.S. troops. Their primary roles include patrolling compounds, tracking enemies, and detecting bombs.

Of current conditions, Aiello explained, “In the Middle East, the dogs face far more formidable enemies than they ever have faced before, a vicious climate and a rugged terrain. The climate challenges them with temperatures repeatedly over 130 degrees. The rocks and hot sand torture their paws.”

“The blowing sand stings their eyes,” Aiello added, “But they keep on going with the care of their handlers.”

The valiant efforts of war dogs and their handlers are acknowledged by USWDA. The organization aims to raise funds and supplies for on-duty teams, as well as funds to erect memorials for fallen war dogs.

Through the supply drive and fundraisers, NHS hopes to raise awareness and support for all of the valiant effort and sacrifice put forth by war dogs and their teams.

By supporting the USWDA, Aiello concluded, “You can help these silent heroes in their fight to help our troops.”