America vows to never forget its ‘soldier dogs’

North Carolinians are proud to have multiple military war dog memorials in the Tar Heel State, which has a history of boasting about its military friendliness. For the complete listing of monument sites, access the website of the Vietnam Dog Handler Association.

The organization cites a unique war dog memorial in King, N.C., a community of about 7,000 people in southern Stokes County, located about 15 miles north of Winston-Salem. This memorial was constructed in 2013 as an Eagle Scout project by Cody McBride, who was a member of Troop 415 in King.

The monument was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2013, and at the ceremony, Cody commented: “Dogs have loyalty, dedication, unconditional love and a heart – something that makes them an invaluable asset to our fighting forces. As a nation we owe our dogs a tremendous debt of gratitude. Their selfless service, loyalty and sacrifices to our country must never be forgotten.”

Cody recited a short poem written in 2008 by Joe Ferrar, a Vietnam veteran, titled “The Soldier Dog.”

I was trained to use my eyes to

Watch and protect you from harm,

My ears to alert you of impending

Danger like an alarm.

My keen sense of smell to detect

An enemy close at bay.

Yes, I was a soldier who gave my life

So you could fight another day.

So, remember me as time goes by

This soldier dog so true.

For I had only one life to give

And I gave that life to you.

Cody McBride graduated in 2016 from West Stokes High School in King and was an athletic standout in swimming and track, earning all-state credentials in the pole vault event.

He is a graduate of the Forsyth Technical Community College Electrical Linemen Academy, the only nationally certified lineman training class in North Carolina and considered to be among the leading programs in the southern states.

There’s also a war dog monument at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. It features a life-size bronze sculpture of Flex, a Belgian Malinois. He is shown in a sitting position, wearing his full deployment kit. His ears are perked, appearing ready to spring into action. (Don’t you know it, dagnabbit, Flex was a Marine through-and-through.

The statue honors all military dogs that serve and protect. It is located near the Corporal David M. Sonka Multi-Purpose Canine Facility, which houses the military war dog kennels.

Cpl. Sonka, who was Flex’s handler, was killed in Afghanistan on May 4, 2013, along with Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian while conducting Marine combat operations. Flex died in the attack as well while attempting to save the two Marines.

The monument also contains the names of four other K9 handlers from the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command who perished while serving in Afghanistan.

Master Sculptor Lena Toritch of Salt Lake City, Utah, was commissioned to create the monument.

At the dedication ceremony on Sept. 7, 2015, Cpl. Sonka’s widow, Torey Sonka, expressed her appreciation.

“I know he’s honored to have this,” she told Dan Lamothe of the Marine Corps Times, an independent weekly newspaper. “He was such a passionate person about the K9 world, and this was really his dream and his calling in life.”

Sonka’s father was also in the audience and told WITN-TV, based in Greenville, that his son had wanted to be a Marine since age 12 and enlisted on his 18th birthday.

“Never forget those who have fallen,” said Kevin Sonka. “Always remember what freedom is about. Who paid the price for it? Any of these guys standing here.”