The men and women in our military forces are not the only ones who make sacrifices. Sometime the supreme sacrifice. American armed forces go to war with highly trained and equipped dogs at their sides. Perhaps the most famous War Dog is the one used in the SEAL raid that got Osama bin Laden, who may or may not have been named Cairo.
These dogs are nothing less than highly trained soldiers.
They're trained to make low-flight jumps from helicopters without parachutes; they're trained to make high altitude leaps with parachutes; they're trained to sniff out IEDs; they're trained to sniff air waves for traces of explosives; they're trained to be controlled aggressive guardians; they're trained as combat trackers and attackers; and they're trained to detect specific human scent, even if it may be underground, as Saddam Hussein was.
They're trained to serve their country and mankind. And they perform like heroes.
Let's remember our four-legged veterans on this Memorial Day and enjoy this magnificent photo essay in their honor by Rebecca Frankel of Foreign Policy Magazine.
Then go on to enjoy an encore photo essay also by Frankel.
Interesting War Dog Facts:
Dogs don't perceive height difference, so jumping out of helicopters and planes isn't as scary for them as it may be for their human handlers.
"A dog can have up to 225 million olfactory receptors in their nose -- the part of their brain devoted to scent is 40 times greater than that of a human."
The world record for "highest man/dog parachute deployment" by jumping from 30,100 feet is held by a US Navy SEAL and his dog, Cara (female?).
The largest supplier of dogs to the military is the military through its breeding program at Lackland Air Force Base.
Retired War Dogs are not humanely destroyed, nor are any abandoned once the military withdraws and cease operations. Many go home with their handlers. Others go to adoption programs.
So on this day, give a salute to the War Woozzle and toss an extra treat to your own pet, because oftentimes our faithful home companions are heroes.
The War Dog Memorial is located in Guam.