R.I.P. Sgt. 1st Class​ Grego​ry A. Rodri​guez-Army fallen military working dog handler

I woke up this morning to see that another United States Army military working dog handler was killed in action in Afghanistan this past Tuesday, September 2nd. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriguez from Weidman, Michigan.

I was able to get in touch with his wife, Laura, and wish her my condolences. She mentioned that everyone knew him as “Rod” and that “150” was the nickname he used on his Jeep Forum website. She also mentioned that his specialized search dog “Jacko” did not make it as well. To Rod and Jacko, thank you for your service and making the ultimate sacrifice, you are true heroes and patriots. To Laura and family, God bless.

 

A soldier from Weidman died Tuesday in combat in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced late Friday.

Sgt. 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriguez, 35, a military policeman, was killed in Ana Kalay, Afghanistan, when his patrol came under small-arms fire, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.

Rodriguez was a dog handler for the military police. He was assigned to the K-9 unit of the 527th Military Police Company, 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, Ansbach, Germany, according to the Pentagon.

There was no word on the fate of Rodriguez’ dog.

According to postings on Internet forums, Rodriguez, known to his friends as “150,” loved Jeeps.

His wife’s MySpace page Friday night showed a slide show of Rodriguez with his family, his dog, of the two in action in Afghanistan, and included a photo of a makeshift military memorial erected in his honor. It also included a blog entry of a poem titled “Guardians of the Night,” celebrating the strength and courage of a military working dog.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

Ana Kalay is in central Afghanistan, in a remote, mountainous region about halfway between Kabul, the capitol, and Kandahar.

Rodriguez is the 18th member of the military with Michigan ties to die in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began nearly seven years ago.

His wife made this fantastic slide show of him if you want to view more photos, click here:

Slide show for Sgt 1st Class Gregory Rodriguez

Visit the “Fallen Handlers” category to see other military working dog handlers who have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Army Dog Team-Corporal Kory Wiens and MWD Cooper-R.I.P.

National Guard release:

Kory was born September 6, 1986 in Albany, Oregon. He was the middle son of three boys and an older sister. He was named after his grandfather who was a canine handler during the Korean War.

Kory was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Pack 38 in Independence, Oregon. He was a wrestler and quarterback of the football team at West Albany High School, where he graduated in 2005.

The Wiens family said Kory was liked by many people and was an easy going kid. As a hobby, Kory liked to customize his vehicles, spending lots of time with all the details. Kory was a good story teller and had a wonderful imagination.

Kory enlisted into the Army to gain experience for pursuing a career in law enforcement. He attended canine school at the 341st Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where he met his partner and friend, a yellow Labrador Retriever named Cooper. Cooper was a specialized search dog trained to find firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Kory and Cooper shared a special bond, spending most of their time together. Kory often referred to Cooper as his “son”. The two were featured in many news articles.

Kory and Cooper were assigned to the 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The two deployed to Iraq together in January. Their abilities to detect TNT, C-4, detonation cords, smokeless powder and mortars saved countless lives by taking explosives and other IED manufacturing materials off the streets of Iraq. Kory and Cooper died alongside each other while performing a search patrol on July 6.

He is survived by his father, Kevin; mother, Judith (also known as Laura); brothers, Kevin and Kyle; sister, Lindsay; and grandmother, Patricia McAlister. He had four nieces and nephews, and was a great uncle to his sister’s children. Kory’s older brother Kevin is currently serving on a second tour in Iraq as a military police officer for the Army.

Kory and his two brothers, Kevin and Kyle, decided to get tattoos on their upper left shoulders that said “Brotherhood of Wiens” in Korean and the names of their brothers. Kyle was too young at the time to get his tattoo, but plans to have his done as soon as he can.

Kevin Wiens, who is also serving in Iraq, is escorting his brother’s body back to Oregon, along with Cooper’s.

Cpl. Dustin J. Lee(R.I.P.) and MWD Lex-Semper Fi

Dedicated to Marine Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee. Born April 7, 1986, Killed March 21, 2007 in Fallujah, Iraq.
He was 20 years old. Dustin was born in Meridian, MS, graduated from Quitman High School in 2004.
He was stationed at MCLB, HQ BN in Albany GA, before deploying for Iraq.
Cpl Dustin J. Lee was a Marine K9 handler attached to 3rd Recon Battalion in Fallujah when the attack happened.
His dog Lex received injuries but non life-threatening.
UPDATE: LEX was Adopted by Dustin’s family on December 21, 2007. Visit this site http://www.remembercpldustinlee.blogspot.com/

Dustin’s shadow box created by Frank DeAngelis
http://www.frankdeangelis.com/Corporal%20Dustin%20J%20Lee.htm

K-9 LEX
Marine Bomb-Sniffing Dog
8 Years Old. Wounded in Iraq War
Retired 12-21.07
To The Lee Family

 

Poster of all Micahael Reagan’s illustrations.
http://www.fallenheroesproject.org/images/portrait%20poster.jpg