To celebrate Veteran’s Day, we took Lager, our retired Explosives Detection Canine, to the War Dog Memorial in Bristol Township, PA.

Few Americans are aware of the invaluable service given by War Dogs teams during the Vietnam War. Dog teams consisting of Scout, Combat Tracker, Sentry, and Mine/Tunnel dogs saved thousands of lives. Routinely braving danger, these intelligent and adaptable dogs would locate injured GI’s, search out Vietcong weapon caches, locate deadly booby traps and would alert and thwart enemy attacks and ambushes. 

The handlers responsible for the dog teams lovingly cared for these brave animals. These soldiers literally carried food and water into battle for their faithful friends and protectors.

Despite the impassioned pleas of the handlers these valorous animals were classified as “expendable equipment” at the end of the Vietnam War and were abandoned to unknown fates in South Vietnam. The courage and loyalty of these dogs are honored only in the memories of the soldiers whose lives they protected. 

The War Dog Teams were so effective and efficient that’s the Vietcong High Command  issued a bounty on them. Hundreds of War Dogs gave their lives in combat. This memorial is dedicated in honor of all the brave War Dogs from every military conflict.  Let us never forget the thousands of War Dog heroes that served with valor during the Vietnam War… 

“All gave some, some gave all.”

~from the inscription on part of the Bristol, PA War Dog memorial pictured below: