McChord Reservist seeks to create memorial for military working dog

Published Sept. 9, 2011
By Senior Airman Tania Reid
2nd Combat Camera Squadron

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- More than a year ago, military working dog Marco did what many service members hope to do someday--retire.

However, as Marco is 14 years old - equivalent to a 98-year-old man- his adopted family in Washington is making preparations for his future hoping they will be allowed to honor Marco for his service as a veteran.

Tech. Sgt. Nathan Stull, 446th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was a military working dog handler while on active duty, and Marco's previous handler while at Hill AFB. Stull knows first-hand the experience working side-by-side military working dogs.

"Marco was a narcotics detection patrol canine," said Stull, who joined the Reserve squadron at McChord Field in March 2007. "He sniffed out drugs in warehouses, cars, residential areas, and military gates, just to name a few."

The canine was given training as a military working dog to prepare him for his work stateside as well as the frequent deployments.

"He was trained to follow hand signals as well as verbal commands," said Stull. "His training was continuous throughout his military career."

Stull remembers working with Marco and the heroics his four-legged partner displayed.

"Marco was involved in many real-world investigations," he said. "There was even a high-speed chase on the installation resulting in the capture of the suspect on the perimeter fence line by security forces during the time I handled him."

Consequently, after 13 years in the service and being the oldest MWD in the security forces kennel, retirement was evident, it seemed, for Marco.

"Marco's hind legs are giving out on him," said Stull. "The years he spent in the military doing the constant up and down searching has done quite a number on his hips."

Marco's age caught up with him and his physical condition has worsened, said Stull.

"He gets up and down slower than most dogs," he added. "Even with his medications that he is on they are helping less and less."

So the Stull family began planning for Marco's future.

"I contacted the Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery to inquire about holding military honors for Marco when the time came," said Christa, Stull's wife. "They stated that, 'we do not do honors for a dog, we only do them for veterans.' For me that was a huge slap in the face for all that these dogs endure in their lives."

Regardless of the setback, the family has continued pressing funeral arrangements for Marco.

"At this time it isn't possible to bury him at a veterans' cemetery," she said. "Marco will be cremated; his ashes will be put into an urn and kept with a memorial for him with his service picture, badge, collar, leash and flag."

While the Stull family has made arrangements, they are still lobbying for their canine pal and others like him to someday be recognized for their service.

"MWDs are often viewed as 'equipment' but, equipment doesn't bleed; it doesn't feel," said Christa. "Even though they are trained to do so, these animals make the conscious decision to protect their handlers with no regard to their own safety or lives."

Stull said he will also be working with his Reserve unit at McChord Field to see if they will help with honoring Marco when the time comes.

"It means a lot to us to get him recognized," he said. "It would be nice to get something passed that would honor all MWDs for their service. The idea may seem silly to some, but not to those who have known these incredible animals."

Stull said they are not looking for him to be buried with the other veterans in the cemetery.

"We are looking for him to be honored for his service," he said. "Marco will be cremated upon his death and a shadow box of sort will be constructed to remind people who view it of the incredible things that he and other war dogs do for our country."

And while the family is working on getting Marco honored, they are making sure he enjoy his retirement as much as possible.

"Marco is doing extremely well for a 14-year-old dog," said Christa. "He is spoiled with treats, lots of love and attention. Marco still likes to play and gets pretty frisky for an old war dog. It is very apparent that Marco loves us and is happy being a civilian dog."

In the end, the Stull family remains optimistic about their efforts and the future outcome for MWDs.

"I have high hopes that military honors for MWDs will one day be as common as it is for their human-counterparts," said Christa.