A 2023 statewide observance of K-9 Veterans Day was held Sunday, March 12, 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 Dog 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.”
Photos of the event taken by FAO photographer Kim McDarison follow.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member Mabel Schumacher addresses some 60 attendees arriving Sunday at the American Legion Banquet Center, Fort Atkinson, to attend the 2023 Wisconsin K-9 Veterans Day statewide observance and ceremony. While this year’s ceremony was held Sunday, March 12, March 13 is the official day recognized as K-9 Veterans Day in Wisconsin, set by legislative proclamation in 2015.
Richard Miles leads an honor guard during the K-9 Veterans Day observance and celebration held Sunday. 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 Day effort since its inception.
Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath, at left, and U.S. Army Military Working Dog Program manager Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle stand for the Pledge of Allegiance which marked the opening of the 2023 Wisconsin K-9 Veterans Day observance. The event was held Sunday at the American Legion Banquet Center in Fort Atkinson.
Rose Mansavage reads the names of working K-9 teams and War Dogs Milwaukee representatives in attendance Sunday at the K-9 Veterans Day statewide observance. As each team’s names were read, members were invited to come to the podium where Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath thanked each handler and offered a treat to each K-9 partner.
Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Nathan Poelmann and his K-9 partner “Simba” move to the podium for recognition and a treat.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Officer Justin Zurbucken and his K-9 partner “Ritter” move to the podium for recognition and a treat.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Gukich and his K-9 partner “Balko” move to the podium for recognition and a treat.
Madison Police Department Officer Sarah Boespflug and and her K-9 partner “Roko” receive recognition and a treat.
UW-Madison Police Department K-9 team of “Kobalt” and Officer Nicole Zautner move to the podium for recognition and a treat.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Dylan Agnew and his K-9 partner “Butch” move to the podium for recognition and a treat.
Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Mibrath, at left, recognizes Tyler Henriksen and his K-9 partner “Artus.” Team members are from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department.
War Dogs Milwaukee member Michelle Lubinske and her companion “Piper” move to the podium for recognition and a treat. War Dogs members work to educate the public about dogs used by the military during wartime. Breeds brought by the group are representative of breeds that have served in the U.S. military.
War Dogs Milwaukee member Carol Singer and her companion “Max” collect recognition and a treat from Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath.
War Dogs Milwaukee member Carolyn Summers and her companion “Murphy” approach the podium for recognition and a treat.
War Dogs Milwaukee K-9 member “Sadie” dances with excitement as her handler, Claudia Engel, holds her treat.
War Dogs Milwaukee member Tracy Hays and her companion “Andrew” make their way to the podium.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member and K-9 Veterans Day coordinator Mabel Schumacher, offers “Flo” a treat. She was pulled in a wagon to the podium by her handler and War Dogs Milwaukee member Cody Crangle. The retired bomb-sniffing dog has recently been in declining health. Crangle is a veteran who served in Afghanistan.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies Scott Gukich and Jason Behm, from left, former member of the Madison Police Department Rose Mansavage, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department member Cherise Caradine, along with Behm’s K-9 partner, retired, “Harlow,” are recognized for their participation at the state Capitol building during the first K-9 Veterans Day observed in Wisconsin in 2015.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department member Cherise Caradine is presented with a commemorative plaque by Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle.
Former member of the Madison Police Department Rose Mansavage is presented with a commemorative plaque by Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Behm is presented with a commemorative plaque by Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Gukich is presented with a commemorative plaque by Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle.
Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle presents Vietnam veteran and K-9 handler Jerry Witt with a commemorative plaque. Witt was the speaker at the first K-9 Veterans Day observance held in Wisconsin in 2015. Lavalle was the keynote speaker Sunday.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson and K-9 Veterans Day coordinator Mabel Schumacher, standing, at left, distributes a token of appreciation to seven attendees each of whom identified as having lost a handler or K-9 partner. They are Jerry Witt, from left; Rose Mansavage; Amanda Buerger, who stood in honor of her father K-9 handler Mark Jaeger; Sarah Boespflug; Cherise Caradine; Tyler Henriksen, and John Meeks.
Those who identified as having lost a handler or K-9 partner listened as Jerry Witt talked about K-9 partners with whom he had served during wartime.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson and K-9 Veterans Day coordinator Mabel Schumacher, at left, holds tokens of appreciation which she distributed to those who identified as having lost a handler or K-9 partner.
Veteran Rick Hong taps the War Dogs bell once for each of 26 K-9s who died between March of 2022 and Sunday.
John and Birdie Meeks, who recently lost “Brutusz,” a retired military dog in their care, listen to the tone of the War Dogs bell.
Ron Werneth and his daughter Maya listen to the sound of the War Dogs bell. Werneth is a military historian and author. He has been a frequent attendee, along with his daughter, and wife, Kaori, not pictured, and past presenter at the Wisconsin K-9 Veterans Day observance.
Mason Marowsky, a 2022 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School and the first recipient of a scholarship named for Marine Lance Corporal K-9 handler Terry Beck, who died, along with his K-9 partner “Seato” during the Vietnam war in 1967, addresses attendees at the observance on Sunday.
Mabel Schumacher presents Mason Marowsky with a special treat made by BonTon Bakery in Jefferson.
Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle presents K-9 handler Jason Behm with a special treat made for retired K-9 “Harlow.”
The treat is adorned with the words “Hugs to Harlow.”
Harlow eyes his treat.
Harlow waits by his handler’s side during the K-9 Veterans Day observance.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member Mabel Schumacher offers a treat to K-9 “Friday.” He is accompanied by his handler Racine County Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Drewitz. Friday will retire from service in April.
Friday observes the crowd gathered in the American Legion Banquet Center in Fort Atkinson on Sunday.
War Dogs Association Chapter 3 Executive Director John Meeks introduces keynote speaker Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle.
U.S. Army Military Working Dog Program manager Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle addresses K-9 Veterans Day observance attendees.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member Mabel Schumacher listens as Lavalle addresses the audience.
Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle presents Mabel Schumacher with a token of appreciation.
Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member Mabel Schumacher presents Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle with a plaque in appreciation and recognition of her participation in Wisconsin’s K-9 Veterans Day observance.
War Dogs Milwaukee member Ed Summers holds “Maggie.”
War Dogs Milwaukee K-9 member “Piper,” observes the crowd.
Jefferson County deputies Kyle VandeZande and Scott Gukich, along with VandeZande’s K-9 partner “Ruben,” visit in advance of the K-9 Veterans Day ceremony.
Former State Rep. Andy Jorgensen visits with Mabel Schumacher and Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle after the K-9 Veterans Day ceremony. Jorgensen was among those who worked with Schumacher in 2015 to gain a legislative proclamation, making K-9 Veterans Day a statewide observance annually on March 13.
State Sen. Steve Nass visits with Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle. Nass was among those who worked with Schumacher in 2015 to gain a legislative proclamation, making K-9 Veterans Day a statewide observance annually on March 13.
Honor guard members include American Legion Sergeant at Arms Richard Miles, who led the guard, from left; President of the Vietnam Veterans of America Don Gross, who carried the Wisconsin state flag; friend of the late Terry Beck 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.
Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle checks out the War Dogs bell.
“Andrew” waits with his handler Tracy Hays in advance of the K-9 Veterans Day ceremony. Both are members of War Dogs Milwaukee.
Photos above by Kim McDarison
Two photos above: Images of the front and back of a token of appreciation presented Sunday to Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson member and Wisconsin K-9 Veterans Day coordinator Mabel Schumacher by Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle. Photos courtesy of Schumacher.