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Eric & Rab Remember.
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This is a page about Eric & Rab's fights that they had on behalf of ALL "WAR SERVICE DOGS" Past & Present. I am REALLY PROUD OF WHAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED FOR THESE SUPER HERO'S. Eric and Rab & myself fought for the right to take part in the Hobart Anzac Day March in Remembrance of the Unsung Forgotten Hero's "THE WAR SERVICE DOGS" Past & Present. We were refused permission by the Hobart Anzac Day Committe (NOT THE HOBART R.S.L.) the main reason being that my dogs were GERMAN Shepherd Dogs and that they patroled the perimeters of the Concentration Camps and may offend certain cultures. We were seeking permission to take part to REMEMBER ALL WAR SERVICE DOGS OF ALL BREEDS FROM ALL THE WARS. They did not take into account that GERMAN Shepherd Dogs were also patroling the perimeters of all Ally P.O.W. Camps, along with GERMAN Dobermans, GERMAN Rottweilers and other pure breeds & half breeds. It was such a racist decision to all the Dogs, who SAVED THOUSANDS & LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, and what an insult to all the K9 Handlers out there who lost their BEST MATES, Human & Canine. We took the matter further with the radio taking up the cause and the Newspaper, which saw a huge response FOR THE DOGS TO TAKE PART and even the Hobart R.S.L. agreed it was about time and that they should even have their own Banner to March Under. Glenorchy R.S.L. invited Eric & Rab to lead their March, but out of respect for the Eldest Veterans we decided that we would go behind them and Eric & Rab, I think did "THE WAR SERVICE DOGS " proud. They wore their Drizz-abone coats with as many Service Emblems that I could get hold of sewn onto them, so that they were a real representation of ALL THE SERVICES FROM ALL THE WARS PAST & PRESENT & ALL ALLIED COUNTRIES. There are photos of them in "MY ALBUMS 1 & 2" from the Dawn Service at the "Veterans Memorial Centre, also at the Glenorchy R.S.L.'s Anzac Day Parade & at the Dedication of the first "THE WAR SERVICE DOG MEMORIAL" be be on Memorial Grounds alongside their Fellow Soldiers. After this we decided it was time that "THE WAR SERVICE DOGS" had an official MEMORIAL. Our Memorial was not going to be one that was away from their FELLOW SOLDIERS, BUT RIGHT ALONGSIDE THEM. So we started the fundraising for the Carving of a DOG with ALL SERVICE EMBLEMS CARVED AROUND THE BASE AND A RED CROSS BAG SITTING AT HIS FEET. We finally achieved our target and the Statue was delivered to "THE VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTRE" at Bridgewater . The Veterans organized an Official Dedication Service with full Millitary Honours at the Veterans Memorial Centre on the 16th July, 2005. Eric & Rab led the Guard of Honour, which was made up of: 4 Shepherds, 2 Black Labradors, 1 part Black Labrador, 1 Staffordshire Black. All Dogs were very well behaved and I think done "THE WAR SERVICE DOGS" PROUD. Each dog had his/her photo taken standing on the platform looking at the Memorial and Remembering. The Photo in my Album is of Eric & Rab Remembering, Eric is the one with his head bowed (which he did of his own accord) showing just how Treasured these dogs were & are and how intelligent Eric is to realize that it was a very Sad, Sombre Day for Remembering the Fallen. Here is the POEM that I wrote for the Front of the Memorial: "TRIBUTE TO THE WAR SERVICE DOGS" Loyal Servants, Fearless Foe's, Devoted Partners, Showing Loving care, These two Soldiers, What an Awesome pair, With their Super Senses, He'll Protect his Troops, He'll Find his Lost Even the Hidden Mines won't put him off.
His Gentle eye, Sometimes Upright ear, He'll sense the Danger, without any fear, Just a Silent look to let them Know, That the Enemy Maybe Below, It's this Silent Warning, That the Enemy So Hate. And the fact, He'll Lay Down his Life for Those of us He Trusts, To Serve His Country, For you and I, He'll give his Life, Because that's what True Soldiers Do, He Must Protect His Buddies, till he can't no more,
But, Time doesn't Stand Still, The Seasons pass, The Bond of mateship, Although Steadfast, Can't last forever, And Fellow Soldiers Sad, Must Treasure the Fond Memories of the Love, Loyality, Trust & Best Mate he once had. "LEST WE FORGET"
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