Thursday, October 12, 2023

Memorial Day 2023

 A Memorial Day Ceremony was held at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center in Covington in late May, 2023, sponsored by the Robert H. Burns American Legion Post No. 16 with a number of dignitaries taking part. 

Here are some photographs of that event. Click on the images to make them larger. 


More than a hundred veterans, their families, and special guests attended. 


The audience included  Major James Robinson, a 101-year-old veteran of World War II and the Korean War, seen seated at far left. 


To begin the program, the St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard advanced the colors.


A number of veterans services groups had informational tables, Past Commander Dennis Charlesworth (center) served as master of ceremonies, and Hailey Ogden sang the national anthem.


Mike Perfinski with the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs spoke about his agency's many various services to veterans in the state. 



A large number of honored guests were introduced, including Pam Herty of the Post 16 Auxiliary, Rachel Shaw of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Matt Cole with the Justin McLeese Marine Corps Detachment. 


According to the American Legion program booklet, Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday in May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.


Miss Poppy Madelyn Ogden and Little Miss Poppy Cecilia Ogden led the Pledge of Allegiance, Parish President Mike Cooper welcomed those present, Rachel Shaw with the DAR spoke briefly, and Covington City Councilman Larry Rolling also addressed the crowd.


Gwen and Anthony Gole told the history of Military Working Dog Roxy. A special plaque honoring Military Working Dog Roxy was unveiled. American Legion Post 16 Joseph P. Untz Jr. presented Roxy's handler Gwen Gole with a certificate and together they unveiled the plaque honoring Roxy for her service. Roxy died late last year after several years of service in explosives detection with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan and with the TSA at Louis Armstrong Airport in New Orleans. She also worked with the Love on a Leash Therapy Dog Program. 


Several members of the Love on a Leash Therapy Program attended in memory of Roxy.


Joseph P. Untz Jr., Post Commander, presents certificate to Gwen Gole.


Unveiling the plaque honoring Military Working Dog Roxy


The St. Tammany Veterans Honor Guard then presented a ceremonial rifle salute, and the playing of taps.

American Legion member Richard Perl delivered the invocation and benediction for the event, which was closed by Hailey Ogden singing America The Beautiful, with a number of people in the audience joining in.


The Love on a Leash group posed for a group photo


Afterwards, members of the audience visited the Veterans Memorial Plaza and paused for a moment with the specially engraved bricks honoring their loved ones. 


The Covington Fire Department flew the American flag from its ladder truck.


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Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Veterans Appreciation Day Held

  The second annual Veterans Appreciation Day was held north of Lacombe in early October with dozens of tents from a number of private organizations, state and federal agencies on hand giving out information for veterans of the Armed Forces. 

The event took place in the parking lot of the St. Tammany Parish Coroners Office. Coroner Charles Preston MD said they gathered up as many resources they could find to share with attendees, and it was done with the help of the Veterans Administration Health Care Task Force. Information ranged from how to increase benefits and health care awareness, and how to contact locally available support organizations as well as topics of interest to anyone who served in the military. Last year they were able to help several veterans find additional help and benefits, he said. 

Dr. Charles Preston, St. Tammany Parish Coroner

All of the food was donated and included Jambalaya, gumbo, ice cream and Texas Road House "Sliders." Some 40 vendors were signed up to take part in the event, Coroner Preston said. It was all done to show appreciation to the veterans in the area for their service to the country.

Here are some photographs of the event. Click on the images to make them larger. 

















Monday, October 9, 2023

Roxy Remembered

 Two years ago at the Covington Courthouse Veterans Day ceremony in November of 2021, the Robert H. Burns American Legion Post for the first time presented a "US Military Working Dog Service Award."  That award went to Service Dog Roxy R682 USMC, led onstage by area resident Gwen Gole.

American Legion Post Commander Joseph P. Untz II presented a framed certificate to Gwen Gole and then kneeled to drape the military ribbon around Roxy's neck. 

Just over a year later, she was gone. 

On December 8, 2022, Gwen Gole posted to her Facebook page that Roxy had died. "It is with completely broken hearts that we announce the passing of our retired USMC/ TSA K-9  ROXY  R682," she wrote.

"She gave her all for all of us and asked so little of any of us.  We are so thankful and enormously grateful to have her Bless our lives for the past 5 1/2 years! Rest in Peace, good girl."  

Roxy was born on June 1, 2009, and served two 2 tours to Afghanistan, 2011 and 2012. After that she served the TSA as a package sniffing dog at the New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport. Then, from December 2017 to 2022, she was certified and became part of the "Love on a Leash Therapy K-9" program. She was a key player in military service, airport security, and then canine therapy for area residents in assisted living facilities. 

For her final three years, the US War Dog Association accepted her into their free RX program, which was a big help to Gwen's family.  She has a burial place at the Michigan War Dog Memorial Cemetery which provides a headstone and service with full military honors.  

"Roxy was not just a dog, but a soldier, hero, veteran, therapist, and a very good girl with a kind loving heart.  I truly believe God put her here to not only save lives but to change lives also. She truly did both very well," Gwen said. Many of those whose lives Roxy touched sent in their condolences for her loss.


RMWD Roxy R682 looks upward after receiving her US War Dog Assoc Afghanistan Service Medal on Veterans Day 2021 .

Humane Society Recognition

On March 14, 2021, Northshore Humane Society noted that Roxy had become a new Woofstock client in honor of National Canine Veterans Day (March 13th). On the Society's Facebook page, the group noted that "Roxy is a 12-year-old canine veteran who in her earlier days served as an explosive detection dog for the Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan twice! She also protected our New Orleans airport from explosives before retiring and finding her adopted family in 2017."
 
The Humane Society then posted that Roxy became a certified therapy pup for Love On A Leash St. Tammany and regularly visited patients at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and assisted living facilities all over the Northshore. 

"We were honored to meet this amazing canine. In 12 years, she has experienced and accomplished more than many of us will ever do in a lifetime," the Humane Society spokesman said at the time. 


A Humane Society photo with Roxy


Her official portraits
Click on the images to make them larger.

A black Labrador, Roxy began her military training/evaluation for the "Explosive Detection K9 program" at Ft. Bragg, NC On December 8, 2010. Her first deployment to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan was from August 2011 to January 2012, and her second Deployment to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan was from March 2013 to October 2013.

She served with the 3rd Batt. 4th Marines and was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security in December 2013 to begin her service with TSA New Orleans, LA in January of 2014. She retired from TSA March 17, 2017 and adopted by Tony and Gwen Gole. 


Click on the images to make them larger. 

Tony, a former USN Flight Officer, knew Roxy and her TSA handler for her three plus years with agency. When she was retired from the TSA, the Goles were chosen to be her civilian family. Gwen had retired from teaching special needs children in January 2017 and was chosen by Roxy to become her new "handler."

For the first year Roxy was right by Gwen's left side waiting for a command, never letting her out of her sight. They had been told that Roxy gained weigh easily and had PTSD. The PTSD was evident during the first Veterans Day program they attended because of the 21 gun Salute. She kept trying to get Gwen "away and down" and did not calm until Gwen sat on the ground with her with Roxy in her lap.

Canine Therapy

Roxy kept wanting to "go to work" everyday, so Gwen got her involved in a Pet Therapy Group, Love on a Leash. She became certified in December 2017 and began weekly visits to hospitals, assisted living facilities, cancer centers, churches. etc.

One of the assisted living facility invited her to be a part of their annual Veteran's Day Program, honoring her along with other Marine Veterans. Each facility they visited it seemed as if Roxy could pick out the Veterans to visit with rather than the civilian residents/patients.

"She was so happy and excited to go for each and every visit she did," Gwen recalls. "She even had regular patients she insisted on visiting because they always had treats and belly rubs for her."


Roxy

During the closure of many facilities due to Co-Vid. Roxy began slowing down some and could not jump into the car due to Osteoarthritis in her hips and knees. "This condition is very common for MWDs," Gwen explained. Roxy then began taking daily medications and supplements for this condition.

An Emotional Visit

Her last visits with the group was in May/June 2021 to a Short Term Veterans Rehabilitation Facility. At that facility a young Veteran entered the room, took one look at Roxy and left the room emotional and crying. It was explained to Gwen that the young Vet had been a Dog Handler in Afghanistan and his Black Labrador, Max, had been killed in action. By this time everyone in the room who knew his story had tears in their eyes. 

Gwen offered to leave but his therapist ask them to stay to see if he could work through it and come back to visit with the dogs. The young Vet did come back about 15 minutes later still somewhat emotional but did sit down to receive the dogs.

Roxy and Gwen were across the room at that time but Roxy started pulling directly to the young Vet. There was no holding Roxy back, so she approached him his head was down but he reached his hand out to her and was able to talk through the day that he lost Max. It was one of the most emotional, powerful visits they had ever experienced. Gwen says God surely put Roxy there that day as a means for the young Vet to be able to move on and heal.

Upon leaving that day Gwen and Roxy were asked to come do weekly one-on-one visits with the young Vet, which they did for another month. Gwen saw a positive change in the young Vet with each visit they made with him.

During one visit, the young Vet went through Roxy's Military Records and determined that he and Roxy had been at Camp Leatherneck at the same time in 2011, but in different units. Gwen feels like she remembered him in someway and that is why Roxy was so insistent and overly excited to visit with him that first time.

After those visits. Roxy was diagnosed with a condition common to older Labradors. Laryngeal Paralysis, which causes breathing difficulty due to heat, excitement and anxiety. So it was decided to retire Roxy from LOAL visits after this diagnosis. 

On Monday, May 29, Memorial Day, at the courthouse in Covington, local veterans organizations attending their annual observance included a special recognition in remembrance of Roxy, the working military dog who touched the lives of so many in this area after saving the lives of so many in her overseas tours of duty. 


Photograph of the plaque that was presented at the Memorial Day program to commemorate Roxy's service to her country 

In late August of 2023, Roxy was laid to rest in the Michigan War Dogs Memorial Cemetery. Gwen and her husband went to the gravesite ceremony, which was very solemn and meaningful. Gwen said that Roxy's tombstone and the ceremony was provided free of charge, and the event was attended by several war dogs and their handlers. There was even a procession led by a bagpiper, followed by a column of several military dogs. The lead dog, a Labrador like Roxy, proceeded to the gravesite, then turned to the left and walked aside, with the other dogs turning to the right, similar to the aerial military ceremony honoring a downed aircraft pilot. 


Roxy's gravesite


Gwen and her husband's final photograph of Roxy's tombstone revealed a rainbow arching over the gravesite. 

Information and photos provided by Gwen Gole.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/126776359329

Friday, October 6, 2023

Veterans Day 2022

 The Veterans Day Ceremony for 2022 was held at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in front of the St. Tammany Justice Center in Covington on Friday, November 11, 2022. More than 100 people attended.


Click on the images to make them larger. 


Under blue skies the ceremony was held by Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16, with the cooperation and special attendance of several other veterans groups throughout the parish. Commander Joseph P. Untz II was the emcee, introducing a number of special guests. 


Commander Joseph P. Untz II


Judge Raymond Childress of the 22nd Judicial District Court was guest speaker. He told about the special Veterans Court originated in the district and how it was helping veterans. 


Judge Raymond Childress
Click on "Play Triangle" to hear about Veterans Court


The National Anthem was led, in sign language, by the American Heritage youth group


A number of special guests were recognized: District Attorney Warren Montgomery, Mayor Mark Johnson of Covington, Parish President Mike Cooper, Judge Raymond Childress and Major James Robinson


The Colors were advanced by the St. Tammany Parish Veterans Honor Guard



The Honor Guard also took part in the rifle salute and playing of taps.


Pam Herty of the Post 16 Auxiliary spoke briefly


After the program, all the veterans in the audience gathered at the front for a group photo. 


Veterans group panorama video



The invocation and benediction were both presented by Richard Perl, and the POW/MIS Chair presentation was performed by Dennis W. Charlesworth, who also introduced the special guests for the occasion. 



The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Patriots Pride Youth Group



The Pierre de Mandeville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution led in the singing of "God Bless America."



The DAR group also had a table where gifts were given out to visiting Veterans





The St. Tammany Coroner's Office had an exhibit displaying drug use precautions. Coroner Charles A. Preston, M.D. at right and Dr. Robert J. Sigillito, MD deputy chief coroner , at left. 


The Covington Fire Department brought in its ladder truck to fly the flag. 

To see a video of the entire program, CLICK HERE.


Veterans Day History

Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, designated by the federal government to honor military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. It was set on November 11, in recognition of the end of World War I. 

Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. 

For many years, a major event of every Armistice Day program was a minute of silence in recognition of that moment of time, 11 minutes past 11 a.m. on November 11, when World War I came to a close. 

Armistice Day Changed to Honor All Veterans

The first celebration using the term Veterans Day occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1947. Raymond Weeks, a World War II veteran, organized "National Veterans Day," which included a parade and other festivities, to honor all veterans. The event was held on November 11, then appointed Armistice Day. Later, U.S. Representative Edward Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day.

In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day. Raymond Weeks received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Reagan in November 1982. Weeks' local parade and ceremonies are now an annual event celebrated nationwide.


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