SERVICE & SACRIFICE

By Sculptor Susan Bahary

Unveiled Veterans Day November 11, 2021 at the United States Navy Memorial. Gifted by the United States War Dogs Association.

A larger-than-life bronze sculpture rests at the U.S. Navy Memorial. The memorial is located at: 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC 20004.

The sculpture is called “Service and Sacrifice,” and honors all the men and women of the sea services, past present and future, and all military working dog teams.

It is the first monument honoring working military dogs in the nation’s capital.

The sculptor, Susan Bahary said the sculpture pays tribute to our country’s heroes and features John Douangdara, the brave lead dog handler for the Navy SEAL Team Six and his war dog Bart, who were sadly lost in August 2011 along with 29 U.S. Soldiers, 17 of whom were Navy Seals, when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

“I am humbled and honored that “Service and Sacrifice” will reside in the hallowed halls of the United States Navy Memorial, in Washington D.C., honoring the service and sacrifice of all the great men and women of the sea services, past, present and future. I hope it will inspire generations to come and raise awareness for our great service animal teams, as I’m also doing through the National Service Animals Monument and the Purple Poppy movement,” Bahary said.

“Service and Sacrifice” was commissioned by the U.S. War Dogs Association National Headquarters and will become a permanent part of the Navy Memorial Visitor’s Center alongside the Jack London Plaque Wall, the stories of service exhibit, and American Sailor exhibit.

Photo credit: Aron Taub