This Michigan Cemetery Honors Forgotten Heroes

There is a good chance you’ve been in a cemetery at some point in your life. I’ve attended my fair share of services and taken walks through cemeteries. These are peaceful spaces where people come to reflect on family and friends, with some cemeteries, such as the Fort Custer National Cemetery, dedicated to those who have served in the military or were first responders.

For many, family includes their pets. When a group of veterans came together with the idea to memorialize the four-legged veterans who served and gave their lives in the act of service, they deserve recognition just like the human veterans they served alongside. That’s how the Michigan War Dog Memorial came into existence.

The History Behind the Michigan War Dog Memorial

The Michigan War Dog Memorial (MWDM) is a non-profit in South Lyon. The current site of the cemetery was an abandoned pet cemetery that Phil Weitlauf discovered in 2010. With help from volunteers, he restored the site and expanded it into a memorial for ‘K9 Heroes’ in 2012. Since then, the MWDM has honored over 4500 war dogs.

READ MORE: Michigan’s Best Dog-Friendly Beaches to Visit

K9 Heroes Honored Through the Decades

The various monuments of the memorial can be viewed by following the memorial path, which leads past memorials for dogs that served in World War I and II, the Korean War, 9/11 search and rescue operations, and dogs that have served in law enforcement.

The Vietnam K9 Memorial Wall is the centerpiece of the memorial. But the cemetery also honors those who served other countries, with areas designated for Australia and others.

The cemetery handles the headstones for the dogs, and thankfully, all the costs are covered by sponsors and donations.

The Roles of Dogs In The Military

Dogs have historically had many roles in the military. Dogs in World War I were trained to find wounded soldiers and deliver messages, but it wasn’t until World War II that the first K-9 corps was established. Nowadays, dogs are trained in explosive detection, tracking, patrol, search and rescue, and attack. There are an estimated 1600 military working dogs currently deployed.

The Michigan War Dog Memorial is located at 25805 Milford Rd
South Lyon, MI 48178, and is available for visitation at any time of day.

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