HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 58

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Hector H. Balderas

A JOINT MEMORIAL

COMMENDING THE COURAGE, HEROISM AND SACRIFICE OF WAR DOGS.

     WHEREAS, the military has faithfully been served by tens of thousands of war dogs during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War; the Bosnia and Kosovo peacekeeping operations; and coalition operations in Afghanistan and Iraq; and

     WHEREAS, these war dogs were specially trained for extremely hazardous duties, such as scout sentry, tracking, mine and booby trap detection, tunnel and water patrol, coast guard, messenger, search and rescue, and explosives and drug detection; and

     WHEREAS, American military war dog teams have established a long and legendary history of courage, heroism and sacrifice on countless foreign fields of battle and are credited with saving many thousands of lives of Americans, allies and noncombatants; and

     WHEREAS, war dogs have significantly reduced the enemy's capacity to sabotage or destroy war equipment worth billions of dollars, working only for food, water and the love, loyalty and bond of their handlers; and

     WHEREAS, thousands of war dogs with everyday names like Prince, Duke, Gomer, Tuffy, Fritz, Lady, Rebel, Sarge, Pirate, Krim, Buck, Rusty, Satan and Blackie never returned from their duty in harm's way; and

     WHEREAS, the national war dog team memorial is currently being crafted for permanent display in Washington, D.C.;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the courage, heroism and sacrifice of war dogs be commended and that humble gratitude be offered for the heroic performance of war dogs as the auxiliary and best friends of American service personnel; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services.

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