The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery hosted a dedication ceremony for the War Dog Memorial this month to honor the strong bond between military service members and their canine companions over the years.
The 18-foot-tall bronze memorial, created by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg, marks the culmination of his celebrated tributes to the heroic animals that have assisted soldiers in the line of duty for thousands of years.
"With unwavering loyalty and silent courage, noble canines have stood beside America's heroes in the fiercest of battles," said Director of Rhode Island Veterans Services Kasim Yarn. "This memorial stands not only as a tribute to their bravery, but as a reminder that heroism comes on four legs as surely as it does on two. We honor their sacrifice, their service and the unbreakable bond they forged in the defense of our nation."
Though dogs have been used in combat for thousands of years, the "official" saga of the American military working dog began on March 13, 1942. More than 30,000 dogs have served in the U.S. military since the K-9 Corps was established by the Army in 1942.
Schomberg has made two other War Dog Memorials honoring the valor of military canines, the first at the March Airfield Museum in California and the second at Sacrifice Field at Fort Benning, Ga. This sculpture was the last of his War Dog Memorial statues.
He has been an internationally acclaimed sculptor for four decades and is most well-known for the iconic “Rocky” statue in Philadelphia, based on the movie “Rocky III.” He also has sculptures on view at many famous sports venues such as Yankee Stadium, the Houston Astrodome and the San Diego Hall of Champions Museum.
“We are thrilled to unveil this extraordinary tribute to the war dogs who served alongside our veterans with unwavering loyalty,” said George Panichas, organizer and committee member. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, with A. Thomas Schomberg and his wife, Cynthia, flying in from Colorado to join us. Their presence, alongside Ruth Gordon’s inspiring story, made this a must-see moment for our community and for our beautiful Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, which is a model for state cemeteries throughout the United States.”
Ruth Gordon and her late husband, Scott, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, sparked the vision for the memorial. Together, they ran Delmyra Kennels in Exeter, R.I., for decades, which is still in operation. But their lifelong passion for canines and respect for the sacrifices of war dogs fueled a dream to honor the four-legged heroes at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
“Scott and I always dreamed of a memorial that would honor the incredible bravery and loyalty of war dogs,” said Gordon. “After his passing, I felt an even deeper resolve to see this project through, not just for the dogs and their handlers, but in Scott’s memory. Completing this memorial feels like fulfilling a promise we made together, and I know he’d be so proud to see it come to life.”