HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

I'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!  I'd like to give a special "shout out" to my very special K9 Handler's who I correspond with in Iraq:

Cpl. Elizondo, MA2 Fiaschi,

Ssg. Carter & Lcpl. Granado(Welcome Home)

These amazing men are without a doubt "My Hero's"

A big THANK YOU to John Burnam!!!

To the right is a photo from Vietnam of John Burman and his MWD named Clipper.

John played a HUGE role in helping the Lee Family(see postings below)get MWD retired and back to his loving family.  

I had the privilege, and I would say the up most honor of speaking to this amazing man, and he certainly is doing AMAZING THINGS!

A little about his history:

He is the author of "A Soldier's Best Friend" and "Dog Tags of Courage."  An updated version of "A Soldier's Best Friend," will be republished with some added information coming out in June 2008 by Sterling Publishing out of NY.

He is a very busy man, besides his speaking engagements across the U.S., he also is currently working on trying to get congress to have a National War Dog Memorial in the nation's capital! 

I will keep you posted because he is constantly on the move!  Oh, and if you forget about the June 2008 book coming out, don't worry(Vitamin B12 helps LOL)I will remind you to go and pick up your copy.

Thanks to Kelly at the MWD K9 Memorial for forwarding this very important article, "Canines for Combat Veteran's Program"

Through the generous efforts of many, Sergeant Roland Paquette and Specialist Raymond Hubbard have received Service dogs to assist them.  Six more veterans have been interviewed and are on our waiting list.  Our goal for this year is to increase our Assistance Dog placements to sixty; ten for disabled veterans.  

We have hired a new trainer and prison pup trainer to facilitate more placements and are opening more Prison PUP Partnerships to increase the number of puppies in our puppy program.  On May 1st our 11th partnership will open at the Caledonia Work Camp in St. Johnsbury, VT.

With Volunteers from Until a second training room has been built and a new walker dog harness is being developed.

An informational brochure about our Canines for Combat Veterans program has been sent to all the VA hospitals in New England, NY and PA.  In-service programs have been presented to the doctors, staff and veterans at Fort Bragg, and Camp Lejune and we have informed alliances with the VFWs and the Blue Star Mom's.  

We still have a lot to do but we accept the challenge.  We are honored to place these Service dogs with those who serve.

Thank you for your support of or Canines for Combat Veterans Program.

Please visit the page at the web address below:

http://www.neads.org/services_new/military_dog.shtml

AS PROMISED PICTURES OF LEX WITH THE FAMILY ON THAT GLORIOUS DAY!!!

T
Thank you so much Brian who is Cpl. Dustin Lee's Uncle for the use of these amazing pictures on that VERY AMAZING DAY!

I've heard from the family, and Lex is so happy at home with his family! 

Top photo is of Camryn with Lex, middle photo is the Cnn Interview, an the last photo is of the "Lee Family"

Check out this link at:  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/21/national/main3639034.shtml?source=search_story

Here at this site, you can view 3 different stories covered by CBS.  You will see a 30 second commercial on each one, but the story will follow afterwards.  If you missed this on TV, then you definitely have to give this a view!

Military Working Dog Lex is FINALLY going home!

For the past nine months, The Lee Family has been trying to adopt Lex.  Cpl. Dustin Lee was killed this past March, and he had a bond with Lex that was simply beautiful! When Dustin was killed, they had to literally pull Lex off of Dustin, so the Medics could treat him. After nine months of petitions, etc. today was the "official" adoption!  If you've turned on CNN, or The Early Morning Show, surely you've seen this amazing and heart warming story.  The story will also air tomorrow on Katic Couric's show.

This is the first time a Military Working Dog was able to be adopted by a family prior to being released from the Military.

WELCOME HOME LEX, AND AS DUSTIN CALLED HIM "LEX MEX."  MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!  

I will be posting pictures of Lex and the family very soon!  I've been so fortunate to be able to correspond with this "truly amazing" family!  Words can't describe how happy I am today that Lex is home with the family!

Author of "A Few Good Women" has passed away

I am fortunate enough to work with Vikke who is the daughter of Inga Violet Frederiksen Ferris.  Inga passed away on November 17, 2007.

I didn't get to meet this amazing woman, but I've started reading her book, "A Few Good Women:  Memoirs of a World War II Marine," and it's a wonderful book!

During WWII, she worked grinding radio crystals then joined the Marine Corps as an aviation machinist.

Before she passed away, my friend and Marine K-9 Handler(Lcpl. Granado)was lucky enough to correspond with Inga via email.  I even got her to sign her book for him before she passed!  

This book can be found at www.amazon.com

RIP Inga  

A quote from Inga:

"Have a good life...I DID!"

The Contest date is closing soon!

Don't forget to buy your tickets to win the Truck, courtesy of the Military Working Dog Memorial.  Just as a reminder, the contest will end on December 31st.  If you have Paypal, then you can buy a ticket and reference:  donations@militaryworkingdogmemorial.com

Time is ticking, and you certainly want to be the proud new owner of that truck!

Scroll down on this site for lots more details!  Oh, and good luck!

My Photo Tribute to those who gave all

Sgt. Adam Cann & MWD Bruno

Sgt. Cann was 23 years old, he was killed in action on January 5th, 2006

CPL. DUSTIN JEROME LEE & HIS MWD LEX

Cpl. Lee was 20 years old, he was killed on March 21, 2007

Cpl. Kory Wiens & his "son" Military Working Dog Cooper, both killed in action. 

Cpl. Wiens was 20 years old; he and Cooper were both killed on July 6, 2007

These are the incredible hero's who have lost their lives!  They left to soon, but they will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!  Their memories live on now & forever!

Photo THANKS to Leigh Cann, The Lee Family, and Kevin Wiens.

Decals honoring Cpl. Dustin Lee

PROCEEDS GO TO THE STONEWALL, MS FALLEN SOLDIER MEMORIAL FUND.

The decal depicts Dustin's guarding sillouette with his K-9 Lex, while standing watch in Iraq. The message on the decal read "Forever On Watch"-Cpl. Dustin J. Lee, KIA March 21, 2007, Operation Iraqi Freedom. Color is black and printed on white heavy duty vinyl and will last years in the sun.

DECAL SIZES:
5"x6" large oval $8.00
4 3/4" x 4 small oval $5.00
2" x 3.5" vertical decal $5.00

To place an order email Dana Rich at lathan_rich@yahoo.com in the email please specify:
the size of the decal(s)you want, quantity, your name-return address & contact number(in case of questions regarding your order

Send check, money orders, cashier checks to:
Stonewall Fallen Soldiers Memorial
P.O. Box 53
Stonewall, MS 39363

Please make checks available to Stonewall Fallen Soldiers Memorial Fund. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery--some items are not printed until order is placed.

I ordered mine & it DEFINITELY goes to a wonderful cause! THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION!

The Military Working Dog Memorial Site has a Truck Contest!

This wonderful organization is having a contest to WIN A FREE 2008 FORD F150 4X4 TRUCK!

1 TICKET IS $5.00 5 TICKETS: $20.00 25 TICKETS: $100.00

ALL TAX & TITLE PAID!!!

The Military Working Dog Memorial Committee in conjunction with The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chpt. 566 is raising funds to construct a Memorial that will honor all Military Working Dogs, Their Handlers, & Veterinary Staff from ALL Branches of Service from the past & Present. The Monument will be installed at The Air Force Armament Museum near Eglin AFB.

This Drawing will be held at GARY SMITH FORD in Ft Walton Beach on December 31st at 10am.

I was told by Kelly Hooker, that if someone wins outside of Florida, they will arrange for the truck to be picked up at a local Ford dealer, in order to avoid the tax & shipping charges.

You can either use paypal and reference payment to: donations@militaryworkingdogmemorial.com

or you can send a check to:

Kelly Hooker

544 Cook Road

Westville, Fl. 32464

Check out their website too & if you are on myspace you can view them at: www.myspace.com/mwdmemorial

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU--I KNOW I WILL BE PURCHASING A FEW!!!

Thanks Kelly for the pictures & the info!!

In Memory of Cpl. Dustin Lee

Cpl. Dustin Lee was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on March 21, 2007. He was a K-9 Handler in the Marine Corps.
I wasn't lucky enough to meet this young amazing hero, but I have been talking to his family, and they are truly brave and amazing people!
When Cpl. Lee was killed, the family looked as though they were going to be able to adopt Lex, who was Dustin's Military Working Dog, but things have changed and without explanation, it looks as though the family MAY NOT be able to adopt Lex(who has shrapnel lodged in his spine to this day). Please check out the blog and post comments to help this incredible family try and turn this around! They certainly deserve this opportunity. The article is titled RETIRE LEX. http://retirelex.blogspot.com/

Thanks! This means so much to the family, and I surely know that Lex will be loved.

A memorial fund has been set up in Dustin's honor at BankPlus locations P.O. Box 138 Quitman, MS 39355 Phone#601-776-1200

It's almost that time of year again...

We work so hard! Can we get a stocking stuffer too?

Yes, it's hard to believe but the Holidays are right around the corner!

I have been buying things along the way for the soldiers I support in Iraq and Afghanistan. I can tell you that from my shopping and comparing prices the following stores are a great place to start, if you're interested in sending a soldier a package. If you can't send a care package, I encourage you to send a Christmas Card. It makes their day when they open ANYTHING from someone back home, especially from someone they don't even know!

I like Dollar Tree, or Dollar Store, for their hygiene products, such as: soap, hand sanitizer, shaving gel. If the soldier you pick requests hygiene products, than this is definitely a great place to save!

I love Target for their snack foods such as their granola bars, they have wonderful trail mix bags, etc.

If you have a Trader Joe's near you, they are wonderful in price for their nuts, and their dried fruit. Their coffee is very nicely priced too~!

My all time favorite place to shop for the soldiers is Costco! You will certainly make the most of your $$$ here! Yes things come in mass quantity, but it is so worth it!

Remember to send the packages out early, and only send no more than three packages at a time because it "jams" up the system of getting the packages there in a nice timely fashion.

One of the most important tips that I can give is to make sure you put your items in large zip locks(Dollar Tree has them)because just think of your package(as it goes to Iraq)basically getting tossed around like it were stomped by a herd of elephants.

My soldiers I support have told me my packages always arrive nicely--one thing I always do is definitely use a lot of tape! Please feel free to share where you find your "bargains" too.