K9s Honored for their Service

The March Field Air Museum recently hosted the 14th Annual War Dog Remembrance Day. This particular event started back in 2000, as a day to honor K9s, past and present, who have contributed to military and police services for our country. The March Field Air Museum is also a location to commemorate and honor those soldiers and officers who have served the country and have passed on. “For 11 of the 14 years the event has taken place, it has been a cloudy day,” Jamil Dada, President of the March Field Air Museum stated. On this day this year, it brought clear skies, which was the perfect day to show the Sheriff Department K9 demonstration in the Courtyard of the March Field Air Museum. Patricia Korzec, Director of the March Field Air Museum started off the event by reciting what was called “A Working Dog’s Oath.” Korzec also gave a brief history of the Working Dog and how it came about. Along with Korzec, there were other guest speakers, one of which was Congressman Mark Takano, who states that “dogs play a permanent role in today’s military.” He told the story of the dog who responded to “Sergeant Stumpy.” “Sergeant Stumpy” was honored by President Woodrow Wilson with medals and shaking his paw, Takano explained. Riverside native and Army Veteran William “Rusty” Bailey thinks that dogs are “magnificent creatures that deserve our respect.” There are 2.3 million citizens that currently reside in Riverside County, which is about the same population as the state of New Jersey; 4,600 of those men and women are currently part of the Sheriff’s Department along with 800,000 full-time peace officers. Sheriff Stan Stiff talks about how a total of 58 counties make up the State of California and Riverside County is the 4th largest in California. In Stiff’s words, “handlers and service dogs represent selfless service.” Assemblymember Jose Medina believes that “dogs have an immense amount of loyalty to their handlers.” Senator Richard Roth shared that “teamwork is bonded and forged on a daily basis.” Roth also wants the citizens to realize that “we don’t spend time thinking about lives that have been saved by the handlers' K9s.” After the ceremony, there was a Sheriff Department K9 demonstration in the Courtyard. This demonstration displayed some obedience that the dogs learn such as the play drive and prey drive. Deputy Brooks, who was on hand to explain each of the techniques, shared “out of the 31 years that the Sheriff’s Department has been open, none of the dogs have ever been put down.” He also made a statement that all dogs that are brought to the police department are from other foreign countries including Holland and Croatia. [END] 14th Annual War Dog Remember Day Date: Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 Time: 10:00am Event Location: March Field Air Museum, Heritage Courtyard Address: 22550 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518 Description: The ceremony will feature guest speakers Congressman Mark Takano, Assembly Member Jose Medina, Mayor of Riverside William "Rusty" Bailey, and Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff. Keynote speaker Senator Richard D. Roth. Contact: Tom Blackshear (909) 534-6464 tblackshear@seacadest.org www.seacadets.org Press Release February 13, 2014 14th Annual War Dog Event February 22, 2014 Senator Richard Roth to be Featured Guest Speaker For immediate release—Riverside, CA, March Field Air Museum presents the 14th Annual War Dog Event, on Saturday February 22 beginning at 10:00 AM. This annual event honors our military canine heroes and their handlers that served in battle. Local law enforcement service dogs will also be honored. The event is free to the public in the Heritage Courtyard at the March Field Air Museum. The ceremony will take place rain or shine. Keynote speaker for the event will be State Senator Richard Roth. Additional remarks will be made by Congressman Mark Takano, Assemblyman Jose Medina, County Supervisor Marian Ashley, Riverside Mayor “Rusty” Bailey, and Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff. The program will include a history of War Dogs, a tribute to dogs and their handlers that have died in the past year, and a Laying of the Hands ceremony at the museum’s monument. The event also features a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Demonstration following the ceremony. Retired Military Working Dogs and Police K-9s are welcome. No personal pets are allowed. March Field Air Museum is the site for the West Coast War Dog Memorial that was dedicated in 2000. The memorial honors all armed service dog handlers and their teams and the important roles they played in all of America’s combat action. Tiles that surround the base of the sculpture commemorate both War Dogs and family canines. Outdoor events are free. Regular museum admission is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 5 to 12. March Field Air Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. 22550 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside CA 92518. For more information please contact the Annie Lunetta at 951/902-5949, annie @marchfield.org or visit the website at www.marchfield.org. Media Contact: Patricia Korzec, Executive Director March Field Air Museum 951/902-5599 or patricia@marchfield.org