K-9 teams, guests fill Fort’s American Legion Banquet Hall in honor of K-9 Veterans Day

By Kim McDarison

A statewide observance of K-9 Veterans Day was held Sunday in the American Legion Banquet Hall, Fort Atkinson. 

The observance, which has been held annually since 2015, when the Wisconsin Legislature proclaimed March 13 as a day of statewide observance, attracted some 60 attendees, among them K-9 units from several law enforcement agencies from across the state, along with members of War Dogs Milwaukee, a nonprofit organization composed of veterans and community members. 

Several War Dogs members brought dogs of myriad breeds which represent the full range of dogs used during wartime, they said. 

Advancing to the podium Sunday afternoon, Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member and K-9 Veterans Day observance coordinator Mabel Schumacher, welcomed those in attendance, noting that the day was meant to “honor working K-9s who protect and serve.” 

The nearly two-hour observance began with the advancement of an honor guard, which posted several flags, including that of the War Dogs organization. The guard was introduced by veteran Dan Juday, who, Schumacher said, had been an “integral part of the K-9 Veterans effort since its inception.” 

Members of the honor guard included: American Legion Sergeant at Arms Richard Miles, who led the guard; President of the Vietnam Vets of America Don Gross, who carried the Wisconsin state flag; friend of the late Terry Beck, a K-9 handler killed in Vietnam in 1967, and veteran Gary Wolfram, who carried the War Dogs flag; Commander of VFW Post 1879 Bill Imsland, who carried the Prisoners of War (POW) flag, and American Legion Commander Joel Osmundson, who carried the American Flag. 

Schumacher cited several members in the audience for their contributions to the annual observance, including State Sen. Steve Nass; former State Rep. Andy Jorgensen, who, she said, “received the kennel club’s request for the K-9 Veterans Day proclamation; Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath; U.S. War Dogs, Chapter 3 Executive Director John Meeks; Ron Werneth, a nationally acclaimed military historian; Mark Dziewior, the sculptor who created the bronze K-9 memorial piece titled: “Unbreakable Bond,” which is part of the War Dogs memorial in Fort Atkinson’s McCoy Park; Vietnam K-9 handler Jerry Witt, who helped conduct the 2023 wreath-laying ceremony Sunday in McCoy Park, and keynote speaker Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle, who is the U.S. Army Military Working Dog Program manager, affiliated with the Headquarters Department of the Army Office of the Provost Marshal General. 

Not in attendance, but also recognized, was Fort Atkinson Community Foundation Executive Director Sue Hartwick, who, Schumacher noted, was instrumental in helping the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson participate in a challenge funding grant used to create the Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship. The scholarship’s first recipient, awarded $1,000 last year, was then-Fort Atkinson High School student Mason Marowsky. During Sunday’s ceremony, Marowsky updated those in attendance on his career path, noting that today he is working with the fire protection district in Edgerton. 

Schumacher further recognized members of the War Dogs Milwaukee group in attendance, and thanked them for their commitment to educating the public about the role dogs have played as members of the armed services in wartime. 

She also thanked the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson for its sponsorship of the statewide observance held annually in Fort Atkinson. 

Parade of K-9s

Fort Atkinson area dog trainer and former Madison Police Department member Rose Mansavage next came to the podium and announced dogs and handlers in attendance. Each paraded to the front of the room where they were received by Milbrath who congratulated each handler and provided each dog with a treat. 

K-9 teams participating in the parade included: Racine County Sheriff’s Department K-9 team of “Simba” and Deputy Nathan Poelmann; Racine County Sheriff’s Department K-9 team of “Friday” and Deputy Ed Drewitz; University of Wisconsin-Madison K-9 team of “Ritter” and Officer Justin Zurbucken; Columbia County Sheriff’s Department K-9 team of “Artus” and Deputy Tyler Henriksen; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department teams of “Balko” and Deputy Scott Gukich, and “Butch” and Deputy Dylan Agnew; UW-Madison Police Department K-9 team of “Kobalt” and Officer Nicole Zautner; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department K-9 team of “Ruben” and Deputy Kyle VandeZande, and Madison Police Department K-9 team of “Roko” and Officer Sarah Boespflug. 

Also recognized were teams associated with the War Dogs Milwaukee group, including “Andrew” and Tracy Hays, “Max” and Carol Singer, “Murphy” and Carolyn Summers, “Sadie” and Claudia Engel, and “Piper” and Michelle Lubinske. 

A touching moment was shared when Cody Crangle, a member of the War Dogs group and an Afghanistan veteran, arrived with his retired bomb-sniffing dog, “Flo.” The black lab has been a frequent K-9 Veterans Day observance participant and has recently endured complications with her health. Unable to walk, Crangle brought the K-9 by wagon to receive her treat from Schumacher.  

Wisconsin’s K-9 Veterans Day history 

During the observance, Schumacher shared some history associated with the Legislature’s proclamation of K-9 Veterans Day in Wisconsin. 

In 2015, several working dogs and their handlers arrived at the Capitol in advance of the proclamation in March, Schumacher said, adding that of those original dogs, “sadly,” only one remained available to participate in Sunday’s event: “Harlow,” who served, before his retirement, with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. Others were among “fallen” heroes, several of which had been honored during the year of their passing, and three of which were among those honored during Sunday’s observance, Schumacher noted.  

Seven of the original handlers who appeared at the Capitol and were honored Sunday included: Todd Skarban, Oconto County Sheriff’s Department; Cherise Caradine and Brent Plisch, both of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department; Mansavage; Mick Ashbeck, formerly of the Wabeno Police Department; Gukich of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, and Jason Behm, along with Harlow, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. 

On hand to receive a plaque of appreciation for their participation were Caradine, Mansavage, Gukich and Behm. Plaques were distributed by Lavalle. 

Also on the Assembly floor in 2015, Schumacher recognized Witt, further noting that he served as the first K-9 Veterans Day observance speaker. He, too, was presented with a plaque by Lavalle. 

Terry Beck Scholarship recipient

In March, 2021, Schumacher noted that an in-person K-9 Veterans Day observance was not held. Instead, in keeping with COVID-19 precautions, a videotaped version of the ceremony was produced, during which plans to launch the Terry Beck Protective Services Scholarship were announced. 

The scholarship was established in the name of Marine Lance Corporal K-9 handler Terry Beck. While born in Iowa in 1949, Beck arrived with his family in Fort Atkinson in 1963 and later signed up to join the Marines. He was sent to Vietnam where he was killed in action, along with his dog, “Seato,” in 1967. 

“With the help of the community, friends and family, we exceeded our initial (fundraising) goal of $15,000,” Schumacher said on Sunday, noting that the scholarship endowment was begun through the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation with $20,000. 

Last May, she said, Wolfram and Jeff Blomsness, both friends of Beck, presented the award to Marowsky.

Addressing those in attendance, Marowsky said that he is 18 years old, and a 2022 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School. He thanked those who have served and continue to serve their communities. He expressed gratitude for being selected as the first recipient of the Terry Beck scholarship, saying: “With this scholarship, I was able to achieve and complete my first semester at BlackHawk Tech., and am now currently a firefighter and EMT with the Edgerton Fire Protection District, now known as Lakeside Fire and Rescue. I am currently in my second semester at Blackhawk Tech., and I’m working towards my fire protection technician degree … and after that, I plan on moving into a paramedic program, and getting my paramedic license to better the care I give to my community.” 

After his comments, Schumacher presented Marowsky with a large cookie made in his honor by BonTon Bakery in Jefferson. 

A second honoree, K-9 Sgt. “Friday,” was congratulated on his pending retirement and presented with a special treat made in his honor. Friday will complete his last day of service on April 1.  

Fallen K-9s honored 

The names of 26 fallen K-9s who died between March of 2022 and Sunday were read aloud and the War Dogs bell was stuck by veteran Rick Hong multiple times in honor of each dog. 

In Addition, several individuals who lost a K-9 partner were honored, with each receiving a spacial token of appreciation. 

Remarks from Lavalle

Following an introduction delivered by Meeks, Lavalle addressed those in attendance. 

Aided by slides, she spoke about her own history with the military and the path that led her to becoming involved with military dogs. She also shared the history of the military war dog program, and talked about training received by dogs and their handlers, and the equipment used by the military to keep its K-9s protected during wartime. 

Citing her career path and the importance of military dogs, she said her choice to become a K-9 dog handler found its formation when she was 12, and watching the television series “Rin Tin Tin.” 

“I absolutely fell in love with Rin Tin Tin,” she said, adding that a few years later, “I found myself in junior ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) in high school. I was about 16 years old, and my instructor played “The War Dogs,” which tells a story about Vietnam. So I knew right then in that moment that I wanted to be a dog handler in the United States Army,” Lavalle said, adding that she joined the Army in 2001, and went to “K-9 school” in 2003. 

“I’ve been K-9 ever since,” she said. 

She described K-9 as “my greatest passion.” 

She said people should never forget the sacrifices K-9 partners make to “our nation, and the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines they fought alongside. 

“These dogs didn’t choose to do the jobs we asked of them; they didn’t know what they were getting into, and they had no idea they could lose their lives for performing the duties we sent them to do. But they want to please us, and all they want in return is some good food, water, and most importantly, some attention,” Lavalle said, noting that when it comes to military service, she said, “you end up giving way more than what you get. And there’s no exception when it comes to these amazing animals.”  

After the presentation, Lavalle offered Schumacher a military token of appreciation. Schumacher was visibly moved by the gesture. 

Schumacher next presented Lavalle with a plaque of appreciation and a bag of gifts in honor of her participation in Wisconsin’s K-9 Veterans Day observance. 

Slides presenting each of the 26 fallen K-9s honored in 2023 are here: http://fortatkinsononline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FINAL-K9-Veterans-Day-2023-PP-presentation-pdf-file.pdf. 

An album with 50 photos from the event can be viewed by clicking the image below.