Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Built with donations raised by the John Burnam Memorial Foundation and dedicated during a military ceremony with full honors on October 28, 2013, it is inscribed with the words "Dedicated to all U.S. Military Working Dog Handlers and their beloved dogs who defend America from harm, defeat the enemy, and save lives."

Monument
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument consists of five bronze sculptures sitting on a granite pedestal which is inscribed, "Guardians of America's Freedom." The center bronze sculpture depicts a life-like modern day Military Working Dog Handler wearing combat gear and holding a dog leash in his left hand and a M4 rifle in his right hand. The remaining bronze sculptures depict four of the more common breeds of Military Working Dogs utilized by the United States Department of Defense throughout history, including a Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois. To the rear of the pedestal is a granite wall containing information about the history of the Military Working Dog program on the front, and images of Military Working Dog Teams in action during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and War in Afghanistan on the back. Behind the wall, the five service flags of the branches of the United States Department of Defense are displayed. To the side of the monument is the "Not Forgotten Fountain", a bronze sculpture depicting a Vietnam War dog handler pouring water from a canteen into his helmet, a common way of providing water for dogs while in the field. The water from the fountain falls from the helmet into a small pool for dogs to drink from during their visit to the monument. The "Not Forgotten Fountain" is a tribute to the war dogs left behind during the Vietnam War. Additionally, the monument is lit at night with soft lighting, providing a startlingly different perspective than what can be seen during the day.

History
John Burnam, the founding member of the John Burnam Memorial Foundation, was a United States Army Infantryman and scout dog handler during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He later created the John Burnman Memorial Foundation, which raised $2 million to build and maintain the monument. The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was authorized with the passage of Public Law 110-181, Section 2877, (having been introduced to Congress by Rep. Walter B. Jones) which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush. The monument was built next to the Basic Military Training Parade Field at Lackland AFB, that location being chosen due to the historical significance of the base as the training center and headquarters of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program. Assisting John Burnam in bringing this dream into reality were prior Military Working Dog Handlers Jim Frost, (US Army Retired), JBMF Vice President, Kristie Dober, (US Army Retired), JBMF Secretary and Promotions Director, and Larry Chilcoat, (USAF Retired), JBMF Treasurer.

Design
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument design was created by the John Burnam Memorial Foundation and approved by the Department of Defense. The bronze sculptures were created by artist and bronze sculptor Paula Slater.

Dedication and unveiling ceremony
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was unveiled during a dedication ceremony with full military fanfare on October 28, 2013, an event covered by many local and national news organizations. Members of the public were invited to attend. The ceremony was organized under the direction of Lt Col Harris 341 TRS Commander and TSgt Christopher Dion 341 TRS Military Working Dog Handler Course Team Chief. Key note speakers at this event included Retired USMC Handler Ron Aeillo, President US War Dogs Association, TSgt Leonard Anderson, Wounded USAF Handler, Mike Dowling, USMC Handler and author of Sergeant Rex

Public access
The Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is located on a secure United States Air Force Installation. However, Public Law 110-181 requires the Department of Defense to provide reasonable access to the monument by visitors and their dogs. Therefore, members of the public (and their dogs) who wish to visit the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument can access the installation to see the monument by requesting a base pass at the Lackland Air Force Base visitor control centers. The pass is limited to four hours of base access and can only be used to visit the monument.

Current
In 2014 responsibility for the care, upkeep, maintenance, and promotion of the monument was transferred to the Airmen Heritage Foundation. Christopher G. Dion, MSgt, USAF, was selected as the official foundation trustee of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument based on his previous role of 341st TRS National Monument coordinator.