Jim
Remer was assigned to handle a German shepherd named Marko the day he
arrived in Vietnam in 1970. After
months of working together, Marko died from natural causes. When Remer
left Vietnam, he took the nameplate from Marko's kennel and brought it
home. Remer proudly wore
the silver nameplate around his neck as Saturday Bristol Township's War
Dog Memorial was unveiled at the township's municipal complex on Bath
Road. Remer was among a crowd of more than two dozen proud servicemen
and servicewomen — some retired, some still active — who attended
the event with local authorities and dog lovers. Dan
Hamilton, a member of Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans, spoke of the
historical impact of canines in battle. Fellow Delaware Valley veteran
Karl Gross read allowed the names of handlers present at the dedication
and the dogs they served with. Other speakers included State Sens. Vincent Fumo and Robert
Tomlinson. “I've
been waiting for this a long time,” Remer, of Middletown, said with a
smile. “I've been waiting for the day when I could take this nameplate
out.” The
memorial's 10-foot bronze centerpiece depicts an alert German shepherd
and soldier. It was sculpted by Bristol artist Joe Pavone. Behind
the statue are three black stone monoliths. Engraved on the stones are
the names of military operations the dogs have served in, as well as the
military branches that continue to use war dogs. Kenneth
Melkun, chaplain of the Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans, marked the
importance of the memorial with a speech. “Today
we honor the war dogs that had just as much devotion as the men who
stood at their side,” Melkun said. “I come here at night when no
one's around, sit on that bench and talk to my friends. We're doing the
right thing.” he said, overcome by emotion. Bristol
Township Mayor Sam Fenton, who worked for years to push the project
forward, expressed joy that it was finally completed. “This
is an extremely glorious and satisfying day,” he said, noting that
canines once considered expendable equipment by the military are now
being honored properly. Joan
Yates, a member of the Delaware Valley Vietnam Veterans, said the
dedication was an emotional event. “I
cried,” said Yates, known to her friends as G.I. Joanie. “My brother
served in Vietnam and this is where my heart belongs. These are my
people.” Of the 5,000 dogs that served in Vietnam, most were euthanized by the military or handed over to South Vietnamese soldiers, area veterans said. It is estimated that those dogs saved approximately 10,000 lives in Vietnam alone. “Those dogs were something,” Remer said as he stared at the statue. “I had a German shepherd that died a few months ago. Now I have a Chihuahua. I can't put down another shepherd again.”
Bristol Township Municipal Complex 2501 Bath Road, Bristol, PA |
