Military Working Dog Teams National Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Military Working Dog Teams National Monument |
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Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
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 Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
Location in the United States
Military Working Dog Teams National Monument
Location in Texas
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| Location | Bexar County, Texas, United States |
| Nearest city | San Antonio, TX |
| Governing body | Department of Defense |
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a special place in San Antonio, Texas. It honors the amazing military working dogs and their human partners. These teams have served in all parts of the U.S. military (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard) since World War II. The monument has a large plaza, stone pedestals, and a history wall. You'll see big bronze statues of dogs and their handlers. It was officially opened on October 28, 2013.
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What You'll See at the Monument
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument features five bronze sculptures. These include four dogs and one dog handler. They sit on a large granite stone that says, "Guardians of America's Freedom."
Statues of Heroes
The main statue is a 9-foot-tall (about 2.7 meters) sculpture of a modern Military Working Dog Handler. He is wearing combat gear and holding a dog leash. The other four statues show different dog breeds. These breeds have been important military working dogs since World War II. They include a Doberman Pinscher, a German Shepherd, a Labrador Retriever, and a Belgian Malinois.
The History Wall
Behind the main statues is a large granite wall. One side of the wall tells the story of the Military Working Dog program. The other side has pictures etched into the stone. These pictures show military dog teams in action during different wars. You can see images from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. There are also pictures from the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Flags and a Special Fountain
Behind the granite wall, there are five flagpoles. Each one represents one of the five U.S. Armed Services.
You'll also find the "Not Forgotten Fountain." This bronze statue shows a Vietnam War dog handler. He is pouring water from his canteen into a helmet. The dog's paw rests on the handler's leg. This shows their strong bond. The fountain actually works, so visiting dogs can get a drink! The stone base of the fountain says, "In everlasting memory of all the war dogs who served, died, and were left behind in the Vietnam War."
How the Monument Was Created
The idea for this monument came from John C. Burnam. He was an infantryman and German shepherd scout dog handler in the Vietnam War. In 2004, Burnam started the John Burnam Monument Foundation. Their goal was to design, fund, build, and take care of the monument.
Getting Approval
In 2007, U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones helped make the monument possible. He sponsored a law that allowed Burnam's foundation to build and maintain the monument. President George W. Bush signed this law in 2008.
Funding and Location
Over nine years, the foundation raised $2.1 million. This money came from companies and public donations. The monument was built at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. This location was chosen because it has been the main training center for military working dogs since 1958.
Designing the Monument
Artist Brian Rich helped bring the ideas for the monument to life. He created digital drawings to show how it would look. The design tells the story of military working dog teams. It shows their simple lives and their complex work in battle.
Materials Used
The monument was built using granite and bronze. These materials are very strong and can last a long time outdoors. The U.S. Department of Defense approved the design.
The granite came from a quarry in Vermont. It was cut into specific shapes and sent to Lackland. Artist Jim Smith created the etched images on the granite wall. He used real photos of war dog teams from the National Archives.
The large bronze dog statues and the handler statue were made by artist Paula Slater. She also sculpted the "Not Forgotten Fountain."
Dedication Ceremony
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was officially opened on October 28, 2013. There was a big ceremony with military music and speeches. Many local and national news organizations covered the event. The public was invited to attend.
Several important people spoke at the ceremony. These included John C. Burnam, who first thought of the monument. Other speakers were military dog handlers and authors.
Visiting the Monument
The monument is located on a U.S. Air Force base. However, a special law allows the public to visit. You can get a pass at the Lackland Air Force Base visitor control centers. This pass lets you visit the monument for up to four hours. Everyone who asks for a pass will have a security check.
Looking After the Monument
In 2014, the John Burnam Monument Foundation handed over responsibility for the monument. Now, the Airmen Heritage Foundation takes care of it. They make sure it stays in good condition and continues to honor military working dog teams.
