By day, I'm a photojournalist for a small community newspaper. It's Saturday and I just want to finish my shift and go home. My last assignment card has some very sketchy info on it. The card reads, a group wants to feed the service dogs on our Army installation, Fort Huachuca. Or so I thought. When I get to the assignment location I find the info couldn't have been more misleading. Three people, the fourth wasn't able to attend, were not feeding the service dogs, they were having a barbeque with all the fixins dedicated to, in this case, Army personnel who are dog handlers and veterinarians. The barbeque is just their way of saying thanks. The "Feed the Dawgs" people show up to a military base and provide and prepare the food for the veterinarians, K9 units and their families. They gather everyone prior to eating to explain their simple mission, read the names of dog handlers who were killed in the line of duty then say thank you and a prayer before everyone chows down.

Well I get my photo and am waiting for my reporter to finish getting his interviews. I'm just sitting there anxiously waiting so I can finish up for the day. Now, I've never been accused of being a quick thinker, but I suddenly noticed the t-shirts these folks are wearing and the name of their group......FEED the DAWGS!! I then notice the retired Air Force guy from the group who is doing the grilling. He's using an older very used Old Timer knife.

These are a patriotic few that are taking it upon themselves to show their appreciation towards those who serve our great country. These are folks who talk the talk and walk the walk. They make arrangements and travel, on their own dime, to various military posts to do their deal. Ron Carlton, the retired Air Force guy on the grill and former military dog handler says, "There would be 10,000 more names on the Vietnam Memorial if it weren't for the K9 military unit dog handlers. I'm honored to be meet these fine men and women."

Feed the Dawgs member Jon Hemp, who is also a retired Air Force dog handler, wanted Ron Carlton to recount a quick story when the group was at Camp Pendleton giving a barbeque recently. Carlton says he must have had a senior moment because when it came to start grilling steaks, he realized he forgot his trusty Old Timer knife at home. He mentioned, "does anyone have a knife?" He then heard the melodious sound of multiple steel slapping leather/kydex and framelock clicks as about 30 knives ranging from pocket to K-Bar to bayonet were simultaneously presented to him.

These 4 people are making a difference to some military personnel and giving them a slice of home while serving their country.

I stress that I am in no way affiliated with the Feed the Dawgs outfit. Saturday was the first time I have ever heard of them. I think it's great that people like this have the gumption to get out there and actually do something like this. I'm including a few photos of the little barbeque event.


Thanks for reading my ramblings and if this post is in the wrong location moderators please forgive me and place it were it should go.

Beast, a Belgium Malinois and a Staff Sgt. dog handler's 10-month-old little girl. The other side of Beasts harness reads "Tactical trunk monkey"


Feed the Dawgs member Ron Carlton chats with an Army Sgt. dog handler while manning the grill.


Some t-shirt logos.



Ron Carlton at work.


Ron and his handy Old Timer.


Grateful Army personnel and their families.


Just for fun.


Thanks again to all Bussekin members.

You should always get permission FIRST before posting donation links and sites in any private forum, otherwise it's just spam...

Indeed.

I apologize guys. I truly did not intend for this to be spam or any other invalid issue. It is what it is. I just edited the original post. Hopefully it is more appropriate now. Delete it if you feel it's necessary.

I was at Ft Huachuca for about a year.... kinda miss it.

I was also at ft Huachuca for over a year...kinda hated it!

I enjoyed this post.