US Marine Corps Cpl. Brandon Mann with automatic scope and canine partner Ty.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann uses his automatic rifle’s scope to scan the area while providing security with his military working dog, Ty, around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Feb. 17, 2012. Mann, a military working dog handler, and Ty, an improvised explosive device detection dog, are assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.   DoD photo by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)

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Cailin walking Fons

Cailin walking Fons

Fons’ new playmate is proud that she can walk her dog in heel position.

Fons denies he drank the milk....I'm innocent

What milk?  I don’t remember seeing any milk.

Fons with his KONG toy

Fons wouldn’t leave his KONG toy.  He couldn’t believe he could have it whenever he wanted.

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Last morning at the military kennel before Fons headed to his new home.

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Hubby loved playing with these dogs.  A special new KONG toy for a special new life in retirement.

Lucca and Chris on a search and knock

Photos immediately above and below by SrA Eric Harris.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, assigned to the U.S. Army's 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rewards his dog, Lucca

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Chris Willingham, assigned to the U.S. Army’s 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, rewards his dog, Lucca, after finding a training aid in a training house at Camp Diwaniyah, Iraq, Feb. 18, 2009. Willingham and his fellow dog handlers joined soldiers from the 8th Division Iraqi Army for a training day in order to help the Iraqi soldiers get comfortable working with dogs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eric Harris/Released)

Lucca at the beach

Lucca’s new life.

Rodriguez Lucca and Willingham a

Lucca and the two important men in her life.

Lucca enjoying the gardens

Lucca exploring her new life.

These photos are additional photos that go with the story about Lucca in the September issue of Kennel Talk. If you haven’t received your copy, you may register for a free subscription at www.mwdtsa.org

Cpl. Seth Sheppard and military canine Fenji

Cpl. Seth Sheppard, military police canine handler, Military Police Support Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force, lifts his dog, Fenji, out of the cab of a truck during a vehicle inspection prior to a fuel run in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, May 13. The military working dog is trained to detect certain odors that could indicate a threat to American forces.

Corporal Joshua R. Ashley, United States Marine Corps, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, died July 19, 2012, while conducting combat operations near Zombalay, in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

John Ashley, Joshua’s father, said his son was killed by hostile enemy action — the victim of an improvised explosive device. Corporal Ashley was with his military dog Sirius, a 4-year-old female German Shepherd, when he was killed. MWD Sirius is accounted for and survived the incident.

Thank you to the VDHA for sharing this Memorial information.

“Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. ”
– Ned Dolan

Sgt. Keaton Coffee and his kanine partner Denny

Cpl. Keaton G. Coffey, 22, of Boring, Ore., was killed on May 24 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province. He only had three weeks left on his tour during his second deployment to Afghanistan when he was killed. He was scheduled to return back to his base, Camp Pendleton.

Coffey’s dog, Denny, survived.Keaton G. Coffey was an only child and was engaged to be married July 14 to Brittany Dygert, whom he met through his mother.

He  was assigned to 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, 1st Marine Headquarters Group, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Fellow Marines spoke of Coffey’s kindness, passion for his work, commitment and the natural abilities that helped him excel as a dog handler with his canine partner, Denny.

His former principal at the Damascus Christian School described Coffey as “every parent’s dream.”

He was the student body president during his senior year.  A former teacher said that Coffey planned eventually to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a firefighter. His father spent more than 35 years at Portland Fire and Rescue.

MWDTSA was supporting this unit in Afghanistan when we learned of his loss though our Point of Contact.  This was devastating for all of his fellow Marines as they had already been through so much together.  Our hearts go out to his fiancee, family, friends and the entire K9 community.

Rest in Peace, young Marine.

Many thanks to our friends at the VDHA for their help on the photo and this memorial info.

Profile picture of Sgt. Dick Lee of Orange Park, Florida

Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr., 31, of Orange Park, Fla., died April 26 in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, from injuries when an IED destroyed his vehicle. He was on his fourth tour of duty, having served previously in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His dog, Fibi, was also killed in the explosion, as was another soldier.

Dick A. Lee Jr.’s commanding officer remembers him as a great soldier and dog handler. “Always quick with a smile and laugh, he was the kind of person you always wanted to be around,” noted Col. Brian Bisacre.

“Sgt. Lee was a consummate professional. He attacked every mission with passion and strived to be the best at everything he was asked to do. Sgt. Lee lived and breathed the Army and was a dedicated father, husband, son and soldier. He will never be forgotten.”

He is survived by his wife Katherine G. Lee and sons, David and Joshua.

Thank you to the VDHA for your information.  While we never had the chance to meet this amazing handler, we do know many people who reflected the light of his life.  He sounds like he was simply a great guy.

May you rest in eternal peace.

Something Beautiful Remains

The tide recedes but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle
warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops, and yet it echoes
on in sweet refrains…..
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains.
Author Unknown

By Cpl. Joshua Young

1st MEB

Military working dog handlers with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, are participating in Large Scale Exercise-1, Javelin Thrust 2012. Javelin Thrust is an annual large-scale exercise with 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., which allows active and reserve Marines and sailors from 38 different states to train together as a seamless Marine Air Ground Task Force.

We were invited to attend retirement ceremonies at Fort Benning on Friday, July 6th for two MWDs. Arka, a German shepherd dog, was adopted by SSG Scott and Fons, a Belgian Malinois, was adopted by his hander, SSG Tolley.  Enjoy the photos.

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Cezar, a military working dog, attacks bite wrap worn by a military working dog handler with the 305th Security Forces Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., while his handler supervises during a training session with the bite wrap. Cezar is a four-year-old military working dog specializing in explosive detection/patrol.

 (U.S. Air Force photo by Denise Gould) (Released)