AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN HEROES
July 9, 1999
Mr.
Roger R. Rapp
Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
Washington, D.C. 20420
Subject: War Dog Memorial
Dear
Mr. Rapp:
As a taxpayer,
a public official serving in the state of California, and a citizen who has
worked tirelessly to see that all
United States war veterans are duly recognized, I am outraged by the
Department of Veterans Affairs’ (DVA) rejection of the proposal to place the
War Dog Memorial in the Riverside National Cemetery.
I believe the
DVA Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials failed to adequately review
the proposal for the War Dog Memorial, including taking the necessary step of
soliciting supporting testimony. Consequently, the Committee did not make a
comprehensive, informed decision that is consistent with the views of those
who own our country’s memorials - the American public.
In this
regard, I am requesting the Committee reconsider a formal review of the War
Dog Memorial proposal with a better understanding of the history of war dogs,
the Memorial’s merits and substantial public support for this cause.
To better
understand the need for the War Dog Memorial, and the strong
public support for this cause, you have to review American war history.
Dating back to the Revolutionary War, war dogs have long served a crucial role
in the United States military and continue today to serve in active combat
duty.
Contrary to
the Committee’s conclusions, war dogs arc not “incidental” to military
service. I have thoroughly researched the outstanding history of such animals
and without the heroic efforts of these dogs, the number of wounded and killed
veterans would have been much, much higher.
During the
Vietnam War alone, 4,000 dogs were recruited and trained to provide combat
support. Based on the research of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association (VDHA),
war dogs serving in Vietnam saved and prevented more than 10,000 casualties.
That’s thousands fewer names on the wall of the Vietnam Memorial, that’s
thousands fewer grieving families suffering from the pain of losing a loved
one.
This fact
alone warrants serious consideration for the placement of the War Dog Memorial
at the Riverside National Cemetery.
To dedicate a
small, unintrusive space in the Riverside National Cemetery honoring war dogs,
the sacrifices they made and the thousands of lives they saved is fitting,
proper and in touch with the wishes of the American public. The War Dog
Memorial Would serve as a reminder of the lives saved, not just those lost. It
is an appropriate tribute that complements the service of America’s men and
women, and one that I believe is long overdue.
Memorials belong to the American people, and declining to recognize the
service of war dogs in defense of our country would be to deny Americans a
true picture of United States history and be a grave disservice to the proud
veterans who have worked so hard to make this monument a reality.
As the
principal sponsor of the War Dog Memorial, I worked closely with thousands of
supporters. Including an untold number of veterans, to see that war dogs are
properly memorialized. To date, over $800,000 has been raised to finance the
Memorial, which has already been completed by world-renowned sculptor, A.
Thomas Schomberg.
The Memorial
is classic, consistent in tone and imagery with existing U.S. war memorials
and masterfully captures a powerful picture in American history where soldier
and dog sacrificed safety for country.
I appreciate
your consideration of my request and look forward to further discussions the
merits of the War Dog Memorial with you at your earliest convenience. I will
follow up this letter with a phone call to you in the coming weeks.
Jeffrey
P. Bennett
President and CEO
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