"Twenty-five Marine War Dogs gave their lives liberating Guam in 1944.
They served as sentries, messengers, and scouts. They explored caves, and detected mines and booby traps. Given in their memory and on behalf of the surviving men of the 2nd and 3rd Marine War Dog Platoons, many of whom owe their lives to the bravery and sacrifice of these gallant animals."
Always Faithful was inspired by the spirit of the heroic war dogs who are the embodiment of love and devotion. The United Doberman Club dedicated Always Faithful to the courageous Doberman Pinschers that served during in the Pacific during WWII. The United Doberman Club-sponsored bronze was created by Susan Bahary and placed at the United States Marine Corps War Dog Cemetery in Guam on June 20, 1994. Many, many special thanks go to the late Dr. William D. Putney and the United Doberman Club for making this all happen!
Among Ms. Bahary's commissions is the first U.W. war dog memorial, Always Faithful, which  was featured on CNN and unveiled at the Pentagon in 1994. Always Faithful is permanently installed at the U.S. Marine Corps War Dog Cemetery in Guam and was replicated in 1998 at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville as a permanent memorial in honor of the war dogs, their handlers, and the veterinary profession, and to the unique human bond with "man's best friend." It was replicated again in October 2001 at The Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center-the university and conference center for the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.
A life-size bronze Always Faithful also is in the permanent collection of the AKC Museum of the Dog in St. Louis, Mo. The sculpture and its story have been featured for years in major media, including on the national TV program Picture This America, on the Discovery Channel in the Animal Legends series and on Fox News.
"It was a tremendous honor to create Always Faithful to pay tribute to our heroic war dogs and their courageous handlers. I cannot thank our veterans enough for all the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for us. I am very touched by the appreciation that veterans, dog enthusiasts and other people from all walks of life have shown through the years for this memorial."
See also War Dog Memorial at University Of Tennessee at Knoxville
War Dog Tribute on Auburn University's website
Images from the monument unveiling at Quantico Marine Corps Base
Call to order this autographed poster
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