NJVVMF War Dogs Memorial to Be Rededicated on 10th Anniversary

For Immediate Release:

The United States War Dogs Association will rededicate the United States War Dogs Memorial on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11 a.m., on its 10th anniversary. The Memorial is located on the grounds of the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel, NJ. The Memorial was first dedicated on June 10, 2006, and honors the nation’s war dogs and their handlers. The War Dogs Memorial, designed by sculptor Bruce Lindsay, consists of a bronze statue of a kneeling soldier and his dog, set on a black granite base. It pays tribute to military working dogs and their handlers — past, present and future.

Since World War I, tens of thousands of dogs have served in the United States Armed Forces alongside their handlers in K-9 units. Thousands of dogs have died in combat, saving the lives of military troops. According to the American Humane Association, each military working dog saves between 150-200 lives during their service, and according to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are approximately 2,700 active-duty military working dogs in the U.S. Armed Forces. They are deployed around the world, with a large number serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

U.S. War Dogs Association President Ron Aiello was one of the first of 30 Marine Scout Dog Teams to be deployed to Vietnam in 1966. Ron and his German Shepherd Scout Dog, Stormy, trained together for three months before going to Vietnam and being stationed in Da Nang.

It is estimated that military working dogs saved 10,000 lives during the Vietnam War.

Speakers for the ceremony will include retired Col. Steve Abel, Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, Richard A. Vargus, Department of the Army Military Working Dog Program, Ron Aiello, and special guest speaker Robert Menendez, U.S. Senator from New Jersey. There will be a presentation of wreaths during the ceremony and an In Memory program recognizing New Jersey dog handlers killed in action.

A military working dog demonstration by joint base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will take place after the ceremony. There will also be a book signing and presentation by John Burnam, author of Dog Tags of Courage, A Soldier’s Best Friend and Canine Warrior, and a presentation on dealing with medications for retired military working dogs by Mark Taylor, owner/pharmacist of CUREXA National Pharmacy, the official pharmacy of the U.S. War Dogs Association. These presentations will be held in the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Museum and Educational Center.

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation To Honor New Jersey Businesses At Annual “A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM-2014 SALUTE TO PATRIOTISM” Gala

Holmdel, N.J. (October 8, 2014) – On Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 6 – 9 p.m., the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will host its annual Gala, “A Night at the Museum - 2014 Salute to Patriotism” at the Vietnam Era Museum, 1 Memorial Lane in Holmdel, NJ. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the program at 7 p.m. The evening will feature an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, live music and a silent auction. The program will be moderated by Jack Ford, noted legal analyst. The cost is $175 per individual and $350 per couple.

This year the Foundation is honoring those New Jersey businesses and individuals who came together to design and construct the Huey Plaza. On this Plaza, sits a two-tour Veteran UH-1 Huey Helicopter, the icon of the Vietnam War. This community came together to complete the construction for a dedication on May 7, 2014, New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day. Bill Linderman, Executive Director said, “without their belief in the project and their donation of time and materials, the Foundation would not have such a fine tribute to those who served in Vietnam.”

The Huey Plaza affords individuals and organizations the opportunity to inscribe a personal, permanent message on a 6”X 9” Paver. “This is a perfect way to honor a Veteran or a military organization” says Linderman. Pavers can be purchased at the Vietnam Era Museum in Holmdel. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website, www.njvvmf.org. Linderman encourages businesses to get involved in the next phase of the “Huey Project” by supporting the Educational Component, which will includes a flight simulator and exhibit.

The honorees, also known as “Champions of the Huey Plaza,” are Anderson Consulting Services, LLC, Aspen Landscaping Contracting, Berto Construction, Inc., Black Rock Enterprises, LLC, C&H Agency, Inc., E.P. Henry Corporation, Forest Electric Corporation, GAR Equipment, H.C. Constructors, Inc., Heavy and General Construction Laborers Local 472, IEW Construction Group, ILA Lighting & Controls, Inc., J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., Renda Roads, Inc., Solutions Architecture, LLC, Stavola Companies, Stonebridge Steel Erection, Tilcon NY, Inc., United Crane Rentals, Inc., Utility and Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey, Verrex Corporation and W.J. Casey Trucking & Rigging.

For information about sponsorship opportunities and journal ads, call 732-335-0033 or visit www.njvvmf.org.

(Photo Attachment: Huey Plaza Credit: Victor Bubadias)

About New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation offers a meaningful and engaging experience that recognizes the sacrifice, courage and valor of Vietnam Veterans and encourages and fosters a thorough understanding of the Vietnam Era including the political, historical, social, cultural and military aspects, which affected the United States, and especially New Jersey. To support the Foundation, visit www.njvvmf.org.