National War Dogs Monument.
“I began my art career many years ago as a sculptor of animals. So when I was invited to compete for the design of a National War Dogs Monument, I saw a project, which immediately consumed my passion for learning the legend of war dogs and the story of the men who were their partners. That is very much what I want to tell and I’ve had the honor of meeting many veteran dog handlers and I’ve listened intently to their extraordinary stories. That experience alone has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
The best art always tells a universal story in a deeply personal way. And no matter what form it takes, that story is always a love story. I love the War Dogs story and I am honored and thrilled to be the artist to sculpt a National War Dogs Monument for placement in Washington D.C.“
Conceptual Design: The National War Dogs Monument represents all war dogs of all military services since WWI. It features three primary breeds used by the military, the German shepherd, Labrador retriever and Doberman pinscher. The solder is added because the war dog always had a handler.
Construction Material: Bronze
Inscription: Where the engraving "WAR DOGS" on the model appears the Monument will read "In Perpetual Honor of the Service and Sacrifice of all Military Working Dogs of all Armed Services of all Wars and Peacekeeping Missions Since World War I."
Dog and Handler: The handler kneeling on top is Vietnam War era. He is kneeling because it is a realistic position during an alert by his dog, but more importantly, it emphasizes dog and man on equal levels of communication as a team. The German shepherd was the primary breed used extensively during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.
Labrador: The Labrador represents a Tracker of the Vietnam War era. The Labrador is crouching as he sniffs and tracks his way through jungle foliage.
Backpack: The lone backpack with helmet lying on the ground near the Doberman represents WWI.
Doberman: The Doberman represents a WWII Sentry. He is guarding the vault containing the list of names of his fallen comrades, which is surrounded by barbed wire fencing of the WWII and Vietnam War era. The list of fallen war dog heroes is retrievable so that more names can be added.
Reliefs: The three bronze reliefs symbolize the methods of deployment. Land (dog in Jeep), Sea (dog in boat) and Air (dog in helicopter).
Service Emblems: The three reliefs are encircled by the five emblems of the Armed Services (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard).
Benches: There will be four benches surrounding the monument for resting and reflection. Each bench will have a ring on each end to tie a dog.
Helmet: A Korean War era helmet sitting upside down next to a bench will serve as a drinking fountain for visiting dogs. The helmet will be inscribed on the inside with the phrase, “Not Forgotten.”
Engraved Stone Tiles: Tiles listing the types of jobs performed by the War Dogs will be spaced evenly in the walkway around the monument in front of the benches.
