Free Republic

At the beginning and end of the new family drama Max, the filmmakers tell us about the importance of military dogs. In text appearing during the opening moments , it’s noted that over 3000 dogs have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and that dogs have been used in the military since World War I. The film hopes to honor that— and properly does so— but then unfortunately loses its stamina in a silly subplot plot about weapons being smuggled from war zones into the United States. Early on in the story, military hero Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell) is killed overseas...

Today, as we remember our fallen military members who valiantly gave their lives to protect our freedom, let’s also commemorate our four-legged force and their handlers that have done the same. Officially, “military working dogs,” these canines have saved countless lives by sniffing out IEDs and weapon caches in Iraq and Afghanistan, and alerting to danger along the way in Vietnam. Since the dogs first entered military service in 1942, they have acted with the same levels of courage, dedication and loyalty as their human counterparts.   Designated as “equipment” by the military (although this is being challenged), they are...

HADITHA DAM, Iraq (Oct. 18, 2005) -- The use of dogs as guardians of military camps to protect against surprise attacks dates back to ancient Egypt. Today, dogs are not only guarding bases but also patrolling with Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in Iraq. Sergeant James J. Wasmer, a Chatham, Mass., native, and his search dog, Euro, are one K-9 team busy doing weapons caches sweeps and entry control point searches to keep citizens of Iraq and Marines safe. Recently the team conducted a sweep with the battalion’s Company L to look for weapons caches and other explosives...