SOF K9 Memorial

Lena Toritch - Master Sculptor
Creating SOF K9 Statue

Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, the Special Operations Forces (SOF) K-9 Memorial Foundation hosted a statue unveiling and celebration at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum to memorialize the bravery and dedication of the special operations K-9 Soldier.
 

The memorial is a life-sized, bronze statue of a Belgian Malinois dressed in full combat gear. The Belgian Malinois is smart, like the German shepherd, but has shorter hair and handles heat better.
 

This is the only memorial specifically dedicated to special operations K-9s in the world. Surrounding the statue are 58 paver stones listing the names of the dogs that were Killed In Action (KIA).

"Like their human counter-parts, special operations Multi Purpose Canines (MPC) are specially selected, trained and equipped to serve in roles not expected of the traditional Military Working Dog (MWD)," said Chuck Yerry, President of the SOF K-9 Memorial Foundation. "Truly daring and brave, these dogs often lead their Soldier team-members in the most dire conditions to save lives and complete the mission."

"The memorial foundation saw a need, and what better place than here with history, heroes and hometown feelings," said Paul Galloway, Executive Director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation. "They've lost their lives in combat. It's a big deal. They need to be honored."

Eagle Scout candidate Harrison Burkart, a Boy Scout from Troop 745, was instrumental in raising funds needed for the memorial, designing, and installing the landscaping.
 

The memorial is on the Parade Field with paver stones created from North Carolina granite. Each stone bears the name, country of origin, and year a special operations dog was killed.

The SOF webpage is at this link:  sofk9memorial.org

The video link to watch Lena Toritch - Master Sculptor, creating the SOF K9 Statue is: http://vimeo.com/70501290

The link to the Dedication Ceremony (45 min.) is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTZzhFb214Y

The link to Lena Toritch's website is:  http://www.veteransmemorialstatues.com/

Thanks for your support,

Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

pr@asomf.org