Memorial Day 2008, an interesting tribute for K-9 corps member
It is Memorial Day Weekend, and next to any other holiday, more Americans probably spend some time talking about past military service of family and friends, or visit a cemetary this weekend. The…
It is Memorial Day Weekend, and next to any other holiday, more Americans probably spend some time talking about past military service of family and friends, or visit a cemetary this weekend.
The Wisconsin Veterans Adminstration operates a facility in King, which is about 14 miles form Iola. It stared as a G.A.R. facility, for veterans and their spouce (who require medical care) to live in an environment of indepence yet observation.
It has a large military cemetary on a hilside next to the grounds.
While walking thru the cemetary several years ago, I noticed a lone stone placed in a small trafic triangle, and it had a nice tree and even a bench. My first though was that is odd, to have just one service man in the middle of a traffic triangle, however, upon closer inspection, I got to read the stone and everything became clear.
The stone is named for "Brownie" a member of the U.S. Army K-9 corps serving from May 1943 thru October 1944. The dog obviously retuned to the Wisconsin Veterans Home, and was probably a very welcomed visitor to many of the veterans. He lived 1941-1949. The tribute: "A veterans best friend" is at the bottom of the stone.
His grave is visited often today, as there are usually a fresh bundle of bird feathers decorating the gravesite. The bench is also a welcome rest spot as the grounds are hilly.
George