War Dog Monument Unveiled

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Columbia, S.C.(WOLO) — Anyone who truly wants to understand Johnny Mayo’s commitment to four legged war heroes would have to rewind the clock more than four decades. While serving in Vietnam, Mayo says his K9’s Tiger and Kelly regularly risked their lives protecting him. Mayo explains, “It’s hard to count the number of times because there was death in front of you all the time. He saved lives just by doing what he was trained to do.” Overwhelmed with gratitude, Mayo has since spent countless hours informing others of the selfless bravery of Tiger, Kelly and all war dogs. “For a dog team it’s half of you. You’re depending on his skills to save your life and the guys behind you,” Mayo tells ABC Columbia. The Veteran’s Day unveiling of the South Carolina War Dog Memorial in Memorial Park is the realization of a goal set by Mayo when he began fundraising for the statue four years ago. “You know everybody when they see the size and the detail their brain is registering 45 years ago,” says Mayo. State leaders say the statue serves as an important reminder of all sacrifices made to protect the nation’s freedom. According to Congressman Joe Wilson, “It’s a testament to our veterans. The dogs were instrumental in saving lives and protecting american families and the families of people in Vietnam.” Past and present handlers say they’re grateful for how accurately the statue depicts the bond between K9’s and their handlers. Over the past four years Mayo has been able to fund raise $111,000 but he’s still looking for contributions towards the $130,000 price tag. To make a donation visit: WarDogMemorialFund.com