War Dogs

WAR DOGS and NAM…
by Joseph S Bonsall

I hope that folks will take the time to read this little commentary, because this subject has become very close to the heart of ALL The Oak Ridge Boys.

It seems that I finding myself reading a lot about Viet Nam these days. I think it is because I have run into a bunch of appreciative Veterans who have either read G.I. Joe and Lillie or have listened to COLORS or have seen the BOYS perform at the Viet Nam Welcome Home concert in Branson about a year and a half ago.

This is not a political opinion or a positive or negative account of my feelings on this war, or any war for that matter, but instead I would like to write a few words about some unsung heroes of Viet Nam.

Much like World War 2, our troops utilized the service of man’s best friend to help fight the enemy on foreign soil. Dogs of all kinds were drafted into service, many of them German Shepherds.

The Oaks with Larry Chilcoat, an Air Force security policeman and sentry dog handler
during the Vietnam War. Chilcoat introduced the Oaks to the National War Dog Monument project.
He is a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association.

These canine’s and their handlers did some incredible things in country that very few of us know much about, and they paid an ultimate price for their service as well.

I want to point you to a video called WAR DOGS, a book called Dog Tags of Courage, and a website http://www.nationalwardogsmonument.org/ . All of this will be explained to you there much better than I can write it. And if you are moved by any of what you see and hear… I hope that you will help The Oak Ridge Boys by joining in an effort to build a memorial in Washington D. C. to honor these canine heroes. You can help the most by writing your congressman and expressing support.

Here is a copy of the letter that we sent to the sponsoring congressman…

Congressman Walter Jones:

The Oak Ridge Boys have tremendous admiration for those who have served our great nation in the time of war. History has shown that we owe our very freedom to our military, and that includes the brave canine soldiers who have served beside our men and women.

We want to thank you for sponsoring a bill (H.R. 5145) to authorize the National War Dogs Monument, Inc. to establish a national monument in honor of military working dog teams. We believe that paying homage to the dogs underscores the important work and sacrifice of their human masters.

If The Oak Ridge Boys can assist you in your efforts, please let us know.

These heroic dogs MUST be honored and remembered!

Thanks for you time and always remember to honor ALL Veterans who have served this great NATION and say thank you to the soldiers who serve us today.

Joseph S. Bonsall

As a side note, might I suggest a new book by Thomas Ross called Privileges of War. Visit http://www.privilegesofwar.com/home.html . This is a wonderful account of some very wonderful and positive stories of our Special Forces in NAM!


	WAR DOGS and NAM… by Joseph S Bonsall I hope that folks will take the time to read this little commentary, because this subject has become very close to the heart of ALL The Oak Ridge Boys. It seems that I finding myself reading a lot about Viet Nam these days. I think it is because I have run into a bunch of appreciative Veterans who have either read G.I. Joe and Lillie or have listened to COLORS or have seen the BOYS perform at the Viet Nam Welcome Home concert in Branson about a year and a half ago. This is not a political opinion or a positive or negative account of my feelings on this war, or any war for that matter, but instead I would like to write a few words about some unsung heroes of Viet Nam. Much like World War 2, our troops utilized the service of man’s best friend to help fight the enemy on foreign soil. Dogs of all kinds were drafted into service, many of them German Shepherds. The Oaks with Larry Chilcoat, an Air Force security policeman and sentry dog handler during the Vietnam War. Chilcoat introduced the Oaks to the National War Dog Monument project. He is a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association. These canine’s and their handlers did some incredible things in country that very few of us know much about, and they paid an ultimate price for their service as well. I want to point you to a video called WAR DOGS, a book called Dog Tags of Courage, and a website http://www.nationalwardogsmonument.org/ . All of this will be explained to you there much better than I can write it. And if you are moved by any of what you see and hear… I hope that you will help The Oak Ridge Boys by joining in an effort to build a memorial in Washington D. C. to honor these canine heroes. You can help the most by writing your congressman and expressing support. Here is a copy of the letter that we sent to the sponsoring congressman… Congressman Walter Jones: The Oak Ridge Boys have tremendous admiration for those who have served our great nation in the time of war. History has shown that we owe our very freedom to our military, and that includes the brave canine soldiers who have served beside our men and women. We want to thank you for sponsoring a bill (H.R. 5145) to authorize the National War Dogs Monument, Inc. to establish a national monument in honor of military working dog teams. We believe that paying homage to the dogs underscores the important work and sacrifice of their human masters. If The Oak Ridge Boys can assist you in your efforts, please let us know. These heroic dogs MUST be honored and remembered! Thanks for you time and always remember to honor ALL Veterans who have served this great NATION and say thank you to the soldiers who serve us today. Joseph S. Bonsall As a side note, might I suggest a new book by Thomas Ross called Privileges of War. Visit http://www.privilegesofwar.com/home.html . This is a wonderful account of some very wonderful and positive stories of our Special Forces in NAM!