US military dedicates first national monument to combat dogs

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In San Antonio, the first monument of its kind opened Monday celebrating U.S. military working dogs teams.

The United States’ first national monument to a soldier’s best friend, recognizing the sacrifices of dogs in combat, was dedicated by the U.S. military on Monday. Inscribed with the words “Guardians of America’s Freedom,” the nine-foot tall bronze statue at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, features four dogs and a handler. “These dogs were patriots just as much as anybody else who served,” said military dog handler John Baker of Fallon, Nevada, whose 212th Military Police Company Detachment A was known as “Hell on Paws.”

The sculpture, built with private donations, features the four major breeds used since World War Two: Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois.

Among the speakers at the event was SSgt. Leonard Anderson (BELOW). The heroism of Anderson and his MWD, Azza, was featured in the film, GLORY HOUNDS.