Happy Veterans day for all that have served; animal and humans alike!

Dogs in particular have played a major role in military's including the US Military for a very long time, with somewhere around 3,000 dogs in active duty today.  Cities, cemeteries, and military bases across the country have memorials to honor these brave canines and in January (2013), our nation will unveil the "The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument" to honor every dog that has served in combat since World War II.  This will be the first dog memorial elevated to national monument status and share the same honor as the Statue of Liberty and Mt Rushmore.

Having been in the works since 2004, this monument displays the modern military handler standing at more than 9 feet tall and weighing 1,500 pounds along side four dogs.  The Doberman, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois, all breeds used in wars, weigh in at about 550 pounds and around 5 feet each.

Behind the figures will stand a granite wall with an inscription on one side and etched pictures of military dog teams on the other.  After a number of events to celebrate this monument, including parades and a tour, it will eventually find it's home at Lackland Air force Base in San Antonio Texas, where training for Military Dog Teams have been taking place for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard since 1958.

U.S Military Dogs in Action - See more from The Washington Post

More on Pets in the Military

• Find out more about this monument and upcoming activities at: 
• http://www.jbmf.us/index.aspx
• Dogs of course help our Military on and off the battle field.  Learn about "Pets-for-Vets" at:
• http://pets-for-vets.com/
• Interested in adopting a Veteran Military Working Dog?  Check out:
• http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/
• Check out the following link for Children's stories on Dog Heroes in and out of the military.
• http://www.bearportpublishing.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=192#