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Photos courtesy of UP Style Productions
November 7, 2023
U.S. Military Working Dog Teams commemorate national monument
By Christopher Dion
Special to the Prophet
The U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument 10th anniversary commemoration was held Oct. 27, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
Many thanks to John Bloxham and Lauren Bloxham for the use of their hand-made cake cutter made by Bloxham Knives. This fine blade was expertly wielded by MSG John Burnam, U.S. Army (retired), creator of the U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, and SrA Ashley T. Annaloro, a student at the 341st TRS MWD Handler Course.
This blade was created by John Bloxham for his wedding and generously loaned to the Airman Heritage Foundation for use in cutting the ceremonial 10-year anniversary cake, provided by Greg Mobley. David Main also graciously and expertly provided the National Anthem.
About the Department of Defence Military Working Dog monument
The MWD program has been based at JBSA-Lackland since 1958. It is the world's largest training center, veterinary service and hospital for working military dogs.
The MWD monument was constructed and unveiled Oct. 28, 2013. Features of the MWD monument include the U.S. military's four prominent working dog breeds since World War II: Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois; a bronze dog handler representing all U.S. military dog handlers who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the war on terrorism; and the Not Forgotten Fountain - a fully functional bronze dog and handler water fountain that epitomizes the bond between dog and handler.
Many thanks to John Bloxham and Lauren Bloxham for the use of their hand-made cake cutter made by Bloxham Knives. This fine blade was expertly wielded by MSG John Burnam, U.S. Army (retired), creator of the U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, and SrA Ashley T. Annaloro, a student at the 341st TRS MWD Handler Course.
This blade was created by John Bloxham for his wedding and generously loaned to the Airman Heritage Foundation for use in cutting the ceremonial 10-year anniversary cake, provided by Greg Mobley. David Main also graciously and expertly provided the National Anthem.
About the Department of Defence Military Working Dog monument
The MWD program has been based at JBSA-Lackland since 1958. It is the world's largest training center, veterinary service and hospital for working military dogs.
The MWD monument was constructed and unveiled Oct. 28, 2013. Features of the MWD monument include the U.S. military's four prominent working dog breeds since World War II: Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois; a bronze dog handler representing all U.S. military dog handlers who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and the war on terrorism; and the Not Forgotten Fountain - a fully functional bronze dog and handler water fountain that epitomizes the bond between dog and handler.