Front Royal’s Memorial Day event with a K-9 twist

War Dogs trained in Front Royal passed through U.S. bases on their way overseas

As summer approaches our thoughts often turn to Memorial Day, which will be marked in Front Royal – just as in Washington D.C. – on Monday, May 28, at the Gazebo between 12 noon and 1 p.m. (Some communities mark the national holiday on different days.)

Unique to Front Royal’s annual ceremony honoring those who lost their lives in conflicts from the Civil War through two World Wars, Far and Middle Eastern conflicts to the present day is the salute “the dogs of war”.  Such specifically-trained dogs are playing an ever-increasing role in guarding the lives of our soldiers abroad, as well as law enforcement personnel at home.

The inclusion of the K-9’s trained for military and security service is appropriate since the first dogs to be called for active duty in World War II in the Pacific were trained at Warren County’s Remount Center on Front Royal’s south side in 1942.

Local dogs – heroes all to their families – prepare for a past Front Royal Memorial ‘Dog’ Day parade; Humane Society adoption candidates are on display as well

Past events have featured surviving vets from World War II

Event co-chairs are U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Major Robert MacDougall and Malcolm Barr Sr., 85, a Royal Air Force veteran in the United Kingdom post-World War II.  Sponsors of the event are the Town of Front Royal; the Air Force Association (AFA); the Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC); the Rotary Club of Warren County; and Fussell Florists of Front Royal which each year provides the traditional commemorative wreath.

Event Co-Chair Robert MacDougall

Event founder and Co-Chair Malcolm Barr Sr.

Barr and MacDougall tell us that the weather forecast for Monday is cloudy with no rain.  So, they urge citizens to bring, not only their dogs and some water for them, but also folding chairs for their own comfort during the planned hour-long event.

Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Diana Lieber will lead a parade of dogs featuring canines seeking adoption from the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter. Those bringing their pets to the Gazebo are invited to take part in the parade.

A past blessing of the animals featured in the background the late, great Husky Lola and FRPD K-9 Boone

Chips, a locally-trained war dog assigned to the Signal Corps, circa 1943

The keynote speaker this year is Lt. Col. Michael Starling, U.S. Marine Corps (ret), who serves in a leadership role at Randolph-Macon Academy (R-MA). R-MA cadets commanded by TSgt.Tina Laing, a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Iraq war, will provide a guard of honor at the wreath-laying ceremony, and a brass band ensemble directed by Daniel Holland of Skyline High School will perform in several spots on the early-afternoon program.

Taps will be sounded by former local elementary student Jacob Bols who now resides in Orange County, Va.

The AFA will hand out flags at the ceremony, courtesy retired Chief Master Sgt. Norman Brander.

Dennis Henline, president of Front Royal’s Elks Club 2382, an ordained minister and veteran of both the U.S. Army (1971-73) and the U.S. Marine Corps (1973-80), will provide the invocation and closing prayer. Rev. Michael Williams will offer a blessing to the war dogs and the animals present in the park area.

Who is that somewhat familiar face, center, training for war correspondent’s duties in Hawaii, circa Vietnam – hmm…

Local officials invited to the event include Front Royal Mayor Hollis Tharpe and members of town council; County Board Chairman Tony Carter and members of the board of supervisors.

The agenda for Memorial Day Program at the Gazebo, Front Royal on Monday, May 28 is:

• 11:55 a.m. – Skyline H.S. Band brass ensemble (Daniel Holland)
• 12:05 p.m. – Welcome and introduction of guests (MacDougall)
• 12:10 p.m. – Pledge of Allegiance, opening prayer, remarks (Chaplain Dennis Henline, Elks)
• 12:18 p.m. – Program announcement: dogs of war (Barr)
• 12:20 p.m. – Skyline brass ensemble (Holland)
• 12:25 p.m. – Introduction of guest speaker (MacDougall)
• 12:27 p.m. – Keynote speaker: L/Col Michael Starling, USMC (ret), R-MA
• 12:40 p.m. – “Salute to dogs of war”; blessing of the animals (Pastor.Michael Williams)
• 12:45 p.m. – Parade of dogs (Diane Lieber)
• 12:50 p.m. – Wreath laying ceremony and R-MA honor guard (Tina Laing)
• 12:55 p.m. – Closing prayer (Henline)
• 12:58 p.m. – Taps (Jacob Boll)

*Town Council/BOS members, military veterans and active duty, report to Maj. Rob MacDougall, USMC Reserve, before the ceremony.  VIPs will be seated to the extent possible in the Gazebo prior to 11:55; band will play opening numbers from Gazebo steps facing the park; for the animal parade, leashed dogs will line up to the right of Gazebo (facing park) and be walked in front of Gazebo toward Chester Street, band drummer providing quiet beat for the short walk.