Author Topic: Honours for war hero glow worms (Read 416 times)

indy007 · « **on:** November 24, 2004, 02:04:16 PM »

edit: I tried to link this about 2 minutes after I posted, & the link is already broken

Anybody else come up with one?

Honours for war hero glow worms
Wed 24 November, 2004 15:38

LONDON (Reuters) - The country's most unusual war heroes -- including glow worms, elephants and monkeys -- have been honoured today for their devotion to duty under fire.

Princess Anne will unveil a war memorial in London's Park Lane on Wednesday dedicated to all the animals and insects that endured hardship with the nation's armed services.

"Britain's Animals in War memorial is a nation's long-awaited and very welcome tribute to the millions of animals that have served and suffered for their country," said Marilyn Rydstrom, head of the PDSA animal charity.

Among those honoured will be glow worms whose light was used by soldiers to read maps during the trench warfare of World War One.

The stone memorial bears the profiles of creatures from bears to monkeys -- kept by soldiers as mascots -- and will be the nation's most prominent tribute to animal bravery.

In 1943 the founder of the PDSA created the Dickin Medal to honour acts of outstanding animal bravery. The medal, dubbed "the animals' Victoria Cross" -- the highest award for human bravery -- has been granted to 60 animals.

One distinguished holder of the medal was Rob, the "para dog" who made over 20 parachute drops while serving on top secret missions behind enemy lines in World War Two.

Another brave canine was Ricky, who continued to work clearing mines in Holland despite severe head injuries.

Maverick · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2004, 05:04:44 PM »

Are they going to "knight" them too???? sheesh a monument to mascots........

Hawklore · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2004, 05:24:47 PM »

Great Idea!

Now lets see the US do it.

indy007 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2004, 06:02:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hawklore
Great Idea!

Now lets see the US do it.

I think they probably should do it in the US. Look at police K-9 units. You lay a hand on that dog, and it's the exact same assaulting a human officer.

Bluedog · « **Reply #4 on:** November 25, 2004, 10:33:30 PM »

Animals, particularly horses and dogs, have been a part of Man's wars for ever and a day.
About time someone showed some respect and honour toward our fine four footed furry friends. (or hooved, as the case may be).

Saw a show a while back about canine soldiers in Vietnam, it was truly amazing to hear some of the stories of sacrifice and courage that these animals had displayed. Things like a dog laying across his unconscious and badly wounded master/handler in a firefight, copping three rounds through various parts of his body in the process, and saving his master's life.

Another one refused to let the men of the recon patrol he was part of past him, he blocked the track, stood his ground and growled, snapping at anyone who tried to go around him.
The patrol pulled up and waited for daylight, when it became light enough to see they found that the track ahead of them was heavily mined.

What was sad to see was that the VC/NVA knew exactly how much of a threat to their operations these dogs were, and therefore targeted them at every opportunity, even delliberately mortaring their pens.

Alll around the world dogs are used every day for police, customs, military and rescue purposes, not to mention seeing eye dogs, and trained 'ear dogs' for deaf people, it's good to see that they are finally getting some of the recognition they deserve.

lasersailor184 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2004, 10:53:24 PM »

Worked the other way too Bluedog. The VC kept dogs as guards and alarms. The US would counter it with a pistol called a "Hush puppy." Literally a completely silenced pistol to "Quiet down the dogs."

Nash · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2004, 11:14:34 PM »

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2004, 08:44:16 AM »

NEVAR FORGET

Hawklore · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2004, 02:46:48 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by indy007
I think they probably should do it in the US. Look at police K-9 units. You lay a hand on that dog, and it's the exact same assaulting a human officer.

Thats what I love about it...

Full Police Honors for police dogs KIA.

RTStuka · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2004, 02:50:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bluedog

Alll around the world dogs are used every day for police, customs, military and rescue purposes, not to mention seeing eye dogs, and trained 'ear dogs' for deaf people, it's good to see that they are finally getting some of the recognition they deserve.

Not to mention they are probably the best friend you could ever ask for.

mora · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2004, 02:53:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by indy007
I think they probably should do it in the US. Look at police K-9 units. You lay a hand on that dog, and it's the exact same assaulting a human officer.

I'd be worried if PETA would be running things here.

Rasker · « **Reply #11 on:** December 01, 2004, 01:40:41 AM »

I'd like to see a cat awarded a medal for saving someone, sometime!

Eh, come to think of it, one or two may have awakened people when there was a fire in the home, I guess [the cat's way of saying, "Hey you! Come save my selfish ass!"].

Saintaw · « **Reply #12 on:** December 01, 2004, 02:36:10 AM »

lol Nash!