thedrifter
10-12-07, 02:25 PM
Police dog given in memory of fallen soldier
Posted : Friday Oct 12, 2007 14:57:48 EDT
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Three soldiers who lost a comrade in Iraq traveled to Ohio to meet — and pet — his living legacy.
Bosco is a police department dog procured this summer through donations from friends and family of Army Pfc. David C. Armstrong, 21, killed in Iraq in a Humvee accident Feb. 1.
Armstrong had wanted to join a police K-9 unit after his military service, a dream familiar to his buddies, Spc. Ricky Barraza and Spc. Tyler Zimmerman, both of Denver, and Sgt. Seth Keil, of Baltimore.
While scratching behind Bosco’s ears Thursday, Keil recalled how Armstrong had enjoyed their military missions with a K-9 handler.
“The handler would always ride in the back of the truck, but the dog would sit right behind David and no matter what dog it was, it would put its head right over David’s shoulder,” said Keil, Armstrong’s team leader in Iraq.
“When we stopped, David would be playing with the dog and talking the handler’s ears off about the training process and the dog,” he said.
Keil, Barraza and Zimmerman came to Armstrong’s hometown, about 50 miles east of Columbus, to meet not only Bosco but also Armstrong’s parents because “they’re family,” Keil said.
He found Bosco’s brown and black markings fitting.
The Dutch Shepherd “looks like he’s wearing camo,” Keil said.
Ellie
Posted : Friday Oct 12, 2007 14:57:48 EDT
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — Three soldiers who lost a comrade in Iraq traveled to Ohio to meet — and pet — his living legacy.
Bosco is a police department dog procured this summer through donations from friends and family of Army Pfc. David C. Armstrong, 21, killed in Iraq in a Humvee accident Feb. 1.
Armstrong had wanted to join a police K-9 unit after his military service, a dream familiar to his buddies, Spc. Ricky Barraza and Spc. Tyler Zimmerman, both of Denver, and Sgt. Seth Keil, of Baltimore.
While scratching behind Bosco’s ears Thursday, Keil recalled how Armstrong had enjoyed their military missions with a K-9 handler.
“The handler would always ride in the back of the truck, but the dog would sit right behind David and no matter what dog it was, it would put its head right over David’s shoulder,” said Keil, Armstrong’s team leader in Iraq.
“When we stopped, David would be playing with the dog and talking the handler’s ears off about the training process and the dog,” he said.
Keil, Barraza and Zimmerman came to Armstrong’s hometown, about 50 miles east of Columbus, to meet not only Bosco but also Armstrong’s parents because “they’re family,” Keil said.
He found Bosco’s brown and black markings fitting.
The Dutch Shepherd “looks like he’s wearing camo,” Keil said.
Ellie