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1991 BUCK 2006
Thank you for sharing
your life with us
NEW! Your Can Purchase Buck's Heroes Books and All War Dog Items & Shirts via PAYPAL from BUCK'S STORE at:
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Space Coast War Dog Asso.
Buck's Memorial Ceremony
April 15, 2006
Pet Rest Cemetery
On April 15th Buck was honored with Memorial Tributes on the East and West Coasts Celebrating the life of a dog, a friend to fans across America, and a gentle spirit that touched so many lives as he shared the stories of his heroes.
After his death, it was a two week celebration of life fitting for a Hero...
Five days after his death, Buck was recognized on the floor of Congress on March 28th by Congressman Joe Wilson and March 29th by Congressman Walter Jones. On Saturday, April 15, a hero was honored on the east and west coasts as over 100 friends gathered in the east at the Pet Rest Cemetery to say goodbye to Buck, the War Dogs' Hero. There were four-legged friends as well, honor guard dog teams represented by Charleston AFB, Richland Co. Sheriff Dept., Lexington Co. Sheriff Dept., and Dept of Corrections. As the bagpipe music echoed through the pet cemetery at the opening march, a color guard of Vietnam Dog Handlers representing the Army, Marines, and Air Force placed the flags in line beside the final resting spot of Buck. Children shadowed the flag bearers and placed their own American flags in line beside Buck's grave site.
Buck lived over 15 years and along side his master, Johnny Mayo, he tirelessly represented the War Dogs as their ambassador and storyteller in Buck's Heroes. Traveling over 25,000 miles in the past six years for the War Dogs, Mayo recognized Buck as the front man in their team. Mayo commented "Without Buck, many pieces of my life's puzzle might not have fit together if the husky had not taken the point six years ago in our quest to honor the military working dog".
In the memorial ceremony a parent spoke of Buck's visit and presentation to 180 students who laughed when Buck barked letting Johnny know he was missing some important points about the War Dogs. A teacher shared details of the Book Parade at Saluda River Academy of the Arts as Johnny and Buck joined his classs that had chosen Buck's Heroes as their book in the parade. Buck had no less than seven children as his handlers during the block long parade route and none wanted to let go of the leash when the parade ended.
Celebrate Freedom Foundation board member, Jack Lovelady, remembered Buck's years of service to the War Dogs by educating children and adults about the importance and heroism of our four-legged soldiers.
Johnny remembered his best friend as a gentle dog that belonged to everyone. "He was not a one many dog. he belonged to every child and adult who wanted to walk him on leash and sit with him during any event we were part of. I will have another dog at my side but I'll never be able to replace him."
The cermony ended with a two plane fly-over as the perfect final salute to Buck, the War Dogs' Hero.
At March Air Field in Riverside, Calif. home of the west coast War Dog Memorial, a second memorial ceremony was scheduled 10 am Pacific Time. Mayo received word that the California tribute had a large attendance of supporters, including Vietnam handlers and active duty dog teams.
Buck will continue to live in our hearts and minds and in his books.
Several speakers remembered how Buck touched their lives...
Mike Meetze - Air Force Dog Handler (Thailand 1972)
Buck, Ambassador / Honorary War Dog, left this earth on a special