World’s First Memorial to Special Forces K9 Soldiers Unveiled at Fayetteville Museum
August 07, 2013 • Trends
FIDO remembers and appreciates those who sacrifice for our safety and freedom.
Fayetteville, NC – The first memorial to Special Operations Forces (SOF) K9 soldiers killed in action was unveiled at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, July 27.
The memorial is a life-sized, bronze statue of a Belgian Malinois dressed in full combat gear. Surrounding the statue are paver stones listing the dogs that were Killed in Action (KIA). "Like their human counterparts, special operations Multi-Purpose Canines (MPC) are specially selected, trained and equipped to serve in roles not expected of the traditional Military Working Dog (MWD)," said Chuck Yerry, President of the SOF K9 Memorial Foundation. "Truly daring and brave, these dogs often lead their soldier team-members in the most direconditions to save lives and complete the mission."
"The SOF K9 memorial foundation saw a need, and what a better place for this memorial than our community of history, heroes and a hometown feeling," said Paul Galloway, Executive Director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation. "These K9 soldiers lost their lives in combat. It’s a big deal. They need to be honored."
The marker in front of the statue, titled "Constant Vigilance" reads: “The Bond Between a SOF handler and his K9 is eternal. Trusting each other is a nameless language. Here we honor the SOF K9s that have paid the ultimate price."
For more information about the Airborne & Special Operations Museum visit the website at www.asomf.org .
For more information about the memorial's sculptor Lena Toritch view video below:
Lena Toritch Master Sculptor. Creating SOF K9 Memorial Statue
Watch as Master Sculptor Lena Toritch sculpts a life-size clay model of a Special Operations Force dog in full deployment kit. The finished bronze statue will be placed at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC Lena Toritch s
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