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A Story of a Soldier and his Dog by Kathy Brewster |
I was returning home to Atlanta. As I waited for my flight, I noticed the gentleman next to me deep in his thoughts. I asked if he was going to Atlanta. He said he was returning home the San Francisco. Did you have a nice visit here in Baltimore? He mentioned in a quiet voice that he had come to bury his best friend in the K-9 Unit who served with him in Vietnam. He continued on with his story. They had gone on many missions in their tours of duty. He talked about a few of his missions behind the enemy line with their dogs. He wiped away a few tears as he spoke. I said that it is okay to have tears for your special friend. I asked if he got to bring his dog stateside when he returned home. Yes, and he will always have him with him. I said that I'm sure he has many wonderful memories of his dog. He began to raise his right short sleeve on his shirt. He'll always be with me he said, as he showed me his tattoo of the German Sheppard with the dog's name and his Army tag number. The soldier talked about their special times. He discussed the group of those men who are in the K-9 Association, their meetings and gatherings every two years. He related that the group was getting smaller with time.
I needed to go and get some gum for the trip. As I got up, he stood up. I turned to give him a hug as I whispered in his ear, “Thank you for serving our country. I'm glad you were able to return home with your dog. God bless you and I kissed his cheek. When I looked up, there were tears in his eyes. It was as if he had finally received the welcome home that he had not received.
Having been with the Army Aviation Heritage
Foundation for ten years, I have listened to many stories. With his friend's death, the stories came alive again in his memories with his dog in Vietnam climbing in Hueys to go to the destination and picked up when their assignment was done...bullets flying everywhere... protection from the door gunner.
I returned to my seat and the soldier came to me again. He thanked me for our talk and for listening to the stories of a war some want to forget. He wanted me to have something. He put it in my hand and left. I opened my hand and saw that he had given me a Vietnam Dog Handler K-9 Association
pin with a small Vietnam ribbon in the center and the words “Scout... Sentry…Tracker... Mine...Buddy” in a half circle underneath the ribbon.
Staring at the pin I had a few tears as I felt was rewarded by this special man by giving me his pin. I don't know his name or where he lives, but for a few moments, I had taken my time to honor his past life with the Vietnam K-9 unit serving our country over 45 years ago. I will treasure this gift as a reward for thanking a past soldier for serving our country in time of war. Thanks for our AAHF for honoring these Vietnam Veterans.
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