Memorial Day planning in Front Royal includes a salute to the “dogs of war”

On Memorial Day (Monday, May 28) at the Gazebo in downtown Front Royal, a joint ceremony will be held to honor those who lost their lives on the fields of battle and to salute the “dogs of war” who similarly defend our country.

The latter makes the annual local observance unique but appropriate since the first dogs to be called for active duty in World War II in the Pacific were trained at Warren County Remount Center on Front Royal’s south side in 1942.

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.

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.

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 T/Sgt.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.

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. MacDougall and Barr prompt those with animals to carry water with them, and for everyone to bring a chair!

Among guests invited to the event are Front Royal Mayor Hollis Tharpe and members of town council; County chairman Tony Carter and members of the board of supervisors.