Dedication

Dedication Ceremony
Veterans Day 2008

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Dedication

The AWDM dedication ceremony was a great success; it was a special day for Alabama dog handlers, their day, to receive recognition for their service to the country. The day was also to pay homage to the military working dogs (War Dogs) that served by their side and continue to serve with America’s armed forces around the world. We salute them, one and all.

Dedication Ceremony Overview:

Clark Memorials installed the Monument on Sunday, November 9th, 2008.
The dedication was held on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th at 2:00 PM at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
Thirty board members and guests attended a special dedication luncheon on the USS Alabama Battleship, John O’Malley present a history of the AWDM and gave recognition to those who made a special impact on the project.
Estimated 120-30 attended the outside dedication ceremony, standing room only.
A dozen or so dog handler Veterans were present, plus many Veterans.
In addition, the Pensacola Naval Air Station sent two military working dog teams to the dedication; MA2 Joshua Johnson, MA2 Danielle Kiogina & Rick, MA1 Richard Hornsby, MA2 Adam Taylor & Drummo.
John O’Malley opened the ceremony and introduced Bill Tunnell, executive director of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park to welcome everyone to the dedication and officially receive the monument.
Wade Franks, Bill Wigginton, and Roy Burchfield, AWDM Board members and Vietnam dog handlers, spoke about their experiences as dog handlers and their dogs.
Wade Frank spoke about Little Joe, a stirring and quite moving story; he brought the crowd to tears. Little Joe was the AWDM mascot and represents all war dogs past and present.
The Homeland vocal group sang a heart pounding medley of patriotic songs. www.homelandhitsusa.com
Lead by Roy Burchfield, the war dog handlers in attendance were invited to advance and unveil the monument as a group.
Roy Burchfield read aloud the front plaque dedication to the crowd.
Bill Wigginton stepped forward to read the names of the seven Alabama war dog handlers killed in Vietnam.
After a name was read, a rose was placed on the monument for each of the seven dog handlers that died in Vietnam; the person laying a rose was either a family member or close friend, or a person with a strong tie to war dogs and their handlers.
Next, Ron Gillespie, Vietnam Dog Handler, placed a flower bouquet was at the paw prints in front of the monument to honor all war dogs, past and present.
A moment of silence followed to reflect on our unsung heroes.
The Homeland vocal group closed the ceremony by singing our National anthem.

To say the least, the monument was awesome, the ceremony was very moving, and there were few dry eyes in the crowd. The Dog Handlers and their K-9 soldiers had their day in the sun. It was a great day to show one’s appreciation to our Veterans.

Special Recognition is due AWDM Board members Carole Freeze and Nicole Self who planned the dedication luncheon and ceremony; they did a superb job.

Dedication Luncheon Aboard the USS Alabama in the Wardroom.	The Homeland Vocal Group Sharing a Home Cooked Meal.
The crowd was gathering.	Standing Room Only.
A beautiful Day for the Dedication Ceremony.	Wade Franks Sharing the Story of Little Joe.
Bill Wigginton Sharing His Experiences as a War Dog Handler.	The Homeland Vocal Group L to R: Ed Jones, Boyce Smith, Carl Jones, and Larry Tidwell.
Roy Burchfield Leading Fellow Dog Handlers in the Unveiling.	Master at Arms, Second Class L to R: Kiogina & Rick and Taylor & Drummo.
John O'Malley Explaining the Various Monument Elements to the Audience.	Dedication Front Panel.
Side View of "The Alert"	AWDM Board Member Panel.
Rear Panel: Alabama Dog Handlers and Their Dogs.	Rear View of Monument.
Black Granite Slab with War Dog Paws and Dog Handler's Boot Prints. Stand in the Boot Prints to Read the Dedication Plaque.	Flower Bouquet Placed in Remembrance of War Dogs Past and Present.
MA-2 Taylor and Drummo.	U.S. Navy Military Working Dog Handlers from Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. L to R: MA-2 Kiogina & Rick, MA-2 Johnson, MA-1 Hornsby, and MA-2 Taylor & Drummo.
Patriot Partners Panel Listing Those Who Contributed $100 or More to the Alabama War Dogs Memorial.	Some of the AWDM Board Members: Back Row-L to R: Roy Burchfield, Jack Carney, Linda Keller, Carole Freeze, and Nicole Self. Front Row-Right: Bill Wigginton.

About the Alabama War Dogs Memorial (AWDM)

AWDM Board members are working diligently to raise the remaining funds to payoff the Alabama War Dogs Memorial erected at the U.S.S. Alabama Memorial Battleship Park in Mobile on Veterans Day 2008. The memorial depicts an actual Alabama war dog team in action - Little Joe, a German Shepherd and his Alabamian handler, Charles “Wade” Franks and other combat patrol riflemen. Little Joe-our mascot-gave his life saving those men on February 22, 1970 in Vietnam.

One of only a handful of memorials like it across the nation, the memorial honors the dogs and their handlers who have faithfully served and continue to protect the men and women in our nation’s armed forces. Dog teams have served most prominently since the early 20^th century. For more information or to make a donation, please visit the memorial project on line at www.awdm.org or click on the donate button above.