After attending the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade one year, U.S. Army and Vietnam War veteran Jim Frost saw something was missing. There was no parade entry to honor the military working dogs that played a huge part in our history. To change this oversight, he sought the help of dog clubs, law enforcement agencies, and Luke Air Force Base to create a Salute to the Military Working Dog entry. It became one of the most beloved entries each year.
With that win under his belt, Frost turned his sites on, ensuring that the Military Working Dogs would eventually serve as one of the grand marshals in the parade. In 2008, that dream came true when Lex, the Military Working Dog, became one of the grand marshals. Lex was there when his handler, Marine Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee, was mortally wounded in a mortar attack in Fallujah, Iraq, in March 2007. Lee was a few weeks shy of his 21st birthday. Lee and Lex were injured that day, and Lex stayed at Lee’s side to comfort him. Medics had to drag the 7-year-old German Shepherd Dog away so they could attend to Cpl. Lee, who died a short time later.
Two years ago, I spoke to Frost as he diligently worked on getting the 2023 Vietnam Military Police Sentry Dog Alumni Reunion in Phoenix. Of course, he wanted the event to occur over Veterans Day weekend so they could be a highlight in the Phoenix Veterans Day parade. He closed his note by saying, ” Thank you for organizing this parade for veterans. As I’ve told you several times, it meant a lot to me and chased away many ghosts that used to haunt me.”
Jim Frost died before the reunion was finalized, but Gary Smith picked up the effort and made it happen. As such, this year, the Parade will have a special entry Salute to the Military Working Dogs, which includes members of the Vietnam Military Police Sentry Dog Alumni.
Smith says, “Working with the Military Working Dogs was the best duty I ever had. Having them as a friend and a confidant cannot be beaten. It is also the hardest. When I left Vietnam, I knew my dog Rolf would not be alive much longer. In Vietnam, our dogs were military equipment, not living breathing friends.”
Some interesting facts about Military Working Dogs alumni members:
- Our members served in Vietnam from 1965-73, usually serving a one-year tour. Some of our members went on to higher callings. One of our members became Police Chief for Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City Police Departments.
- One of our members went on to be a general officer.
- Several other members became police chiefs, military officers, and Sergeants Major.
- One of our current alumni is a cardiologist. He is bringing his children and grandchildren.
Jim Frost was Gary Smith’s Platoon Leader in Vietnam. “I don’t remember him from then. Which is typical for officers and enlisted. We got to be friends through the alumni, which describes why we do the reunions.”
Members of their alumni consist of three Sentry Dog units, including the 212th MP CO, 595th MP CO, and 981st MP CO.
You can cheer them on this year at entry number 12.