By Curt Hendel
Dawg Days Organizer
The Dawg Days of Summer are almost here. By the time this comes out it will be a week and a half away. We at Argonne Post 32 hope that you will take the time to stop in on Saturday, July 8th between 1 and 4 PM.
Last year the first Dawg Days featured a travelling memorial to all of the Military Working Dog handlers killed in the War on Terror, brought in by Kevin Sonka, the Gold Star Dad of one of those handlers. This year we will be honoring our local law enforcement officers, the men and women that protect us day in and day out, 365 days a year.
A lot has happened in the year since Dawg Days I. This year the travelling memorial is somewhat grounded, travelling many less miles than a year ago. This is mainly due to the fact that Kevin has redirected some of his efforts into providing veterans in need with service dogs that can assist them in dealing with Post Traumatic Stress and other issues that follow our service members after they leave the war zones.
I am fortunate to be heavily involved in the Service Dogs for Veterans program from Rocky Mountain Dawgs Project. The sponsorship money from this year’s Dawg Days will be used to help support one of the teams that Kevin has established. There will be information on hand at this year’s Dawg Days to explain the Service Dogs for Veterans program.
As for the organizations inside of the Legion this year, I can also personally attest to the great things that many of these people are doing. Veterans can tend to be a stubborn group. Many fall back to Boot Camp, where we learned that we were NOT to need help, we were only there to help the weak and those that could not defend themselves. That lesson is hard to let go, even in the face of Post Traumatic Stress and physical issues from their service. Many veterans are also quick to shy away from the VA, feeling that they will be profiled as “the unstable veteran” which was allowed to grow from the Vietnam War.
Across the country veterans are showing that grass roots organizations, made up of veterans and others who want to help, can make the difference between a veteran losing his or her battle with their demons and that same veteran living to fight another day.
Inside of Argonne Post 32 on July 8th will again be many such home warriors that are fighting day in and day out for our brothers and sisters in arms. They are of the belief that we, as veterans, were sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic and were never relieved of our oath when we left the military.
Consider yourself invited to this years Dawg Days of Summer Veteran’s Summit. You certainly don’t have to be a veteran or even have a veteran in your family. This year we will honor law enforcement officers who serve us locally, as well as those killed in the line of duty. We will also have a K-9 demonstration, which is very unique to see in person and well worth your time.
Come on down to the Dawg Days of Summer, good things are happening and you can be a part of it!
