FLPA a 501(c)3 will be accepting donations to erect a memorial statue dedicated to our hero dogs in the military. A life-size sculpture is planned for the Trail of Honor at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial surrounded by a stone base where bricks can be purchased and engraved at a later date. Proceeds of these stones will go to help these hero dogs and the soldiers they protect.
Many people don’t realize that there are literally thousands of these dogs that have risked it all in the protective service of our military personnel. Our military service dogs have worked to detect bombs, drugs, weaponry and much more. These animals work to protect both U.S. and Coalition Forces in all areas. They bring life-saving capability to fight against terrorism and protect human soldiers in war zones.
We honor the love that theses soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have for their canine comrades, They depend on each other for for their very lives and an incomparable bond forms.
What is the point to build a memorial for dogs? Do they care? And the answer would be no, they probably would rather get a treat or a belly rub. The honors we bestow on canine heroes are really more for those who love them and live by them, those who have been saved by them.
Help us honor these heroes!
CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO: Friends of Lasdon
Send your check or money order to: Unsung Heroes War Dog Memorial Trust Fund c/o Friends of Lasdon Park 2610 Amawalk Road Katonah, NY 10536
ABOUT “CHIPS THE WAR DOG”
The statue will be based on “Chips” the WWII war dog. Chips (1940-1946) was a trained sentry dog for United States Army, and reputedly the most decorated war dog from World War II. Chips was a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix owned by Edward J. Wren of Pleasantville, New York.
During the war, private citizens like Wren donated their dogs for duty. Chips shipped out to the War Dog Training Center, Front Royal, Virginia, in 1942 for training as a sentry dog. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. His handler was Pvt. John P. Rowell. Chips served as a sentry dog for the Roosevelt-Churchill conference in 1943. Later that year, during the invasion of Sicily, Chips and his handler were pinned down on the beach by an Italian machine-gun team. Chips broke from his handler and jumped into the pillbox, attacking the gunners. The four crewmen were forced to leave the pillbox and surrendered to US troops. In the fight, he sustained a scalp wound and powder burns. Later that day, he helped take ten Italians prisoner.
For his actions during the war, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart; however, these awards were later revoked due to an Army policy preventing official commendation of animals. His unit unofficially awarded him a theater ribbon with an arrowhead for an assault landing, and battle stars for each of his eight campaigns.
Chips was discharged in December 1945 and returned to the Wren family. In 2018, Chips was finally recognized for his bravery was awarded posthumously the PDSA Dickin Medal (Animal equivalent of The Victoria Cross) for his efforts during the war.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
As the artist awarded the task of creating the “Chips” War Dog Memorial, Lena Toritch, MFA, is one of the most brilliant sculpture artists of our time. With a keen eye, compassionate heart, intuitive insight and extraordinary skills she consistently creates exceptional bronze statues that receive the highest praise and appreciation. This Master Sculptor breathes life and spirit into every statue she creates.
Toritch was a graduate student at the prestigious St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts in Russia. She mastered human and animal anatomy, the history of art and architecture, composition, drawing, and sculpture. But she yearned for artistic freedom and opportunity so she came to the United States in 1992. Toritch was granted citizenship under the status of “Artist of Exceptional Ability.” She soon teamed up with Sculptor Richard Young who owns Young Fine Art Studio in Salt Lake City. Young was also a sculptor and had created many large scale monuments of his own design and for other famous artists. With Young’s experience and business sense and Toritch’s remarkable artistic talent, they formed an unbeatable team that consistently and reliably delivers impressive world class sculpture.
Donate to the War Dog Memorial at Lasdon Park
$5.00 – $250.00
Please choose a donation level.
Description
FLPA a 501(c)3 will be accepting donations to erect a memorial statue dedicated to our hero dogs in the military. A life-size sculpture is planned for the Trail of Honor at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial surrounded by a stone base where bricks can be purchased and engraved at a later date. Proceeds of these stones will go to help these hero dogs and the soldiers they protect.
Many people don’t realize that there are literally thousands of these dogs that have risked it all in the protective service of our military personnel. Our military service dogs have worked to detect bombs, drugs, weaponry and much more. These animals work to protect both U.S. and Coalition Forces in all areas. They bring life-saving capability to fight against terrorism and protect human soldiers in war zones.
We honor the love that theses soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have for their canine comrades, They depend on each other for for their very lives and an incomparable bond forms.
What is the point to build a memorial for dogs? Do they care? And the answer would be no, they probably would rather get a treat or a belly rub. The honors we bestow on canine heroes are really more for those who love them and live by them, those who have been saved by them.
Help us honor these heroes!
CHECKS SHOULD BE PAYABLE TO: Friends of Lasdon
Send your check or money order to:
Unsung Heroes War Dog Memorial Trust Fund
c/o Friends of Lasdon Park
2610 Amawalk Road
Katonah, NY 10536
The statue will be based on “Chips” the WWII war dog. Chips (1940-1946) was a trained sentry dog for United States Army, and reputedly the most decorated war dog from World War II. Chips was a German Shepherd-Collie-Siberian Husky mix owned by Edward J. Wren of Pleasantville, New York.
During the war, private citizens like Wren donated their dogs for duty. Chips shipped out to the War Dog Training Center, Front Royal, Virginia, in 1942 for training as a sentry dog. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. His handler was Pvt. John P. Rowell. Chips served as a sentry dog for the Roosevelt-Churchill conference in 1943. Later that year, during the invasion of Sicily, Chips and his handler were pinned down on the beach by an Italian machine-gun team. Chips broke from his handler and jumped into the pillbox, attacking the gunners. The four crewmen were forced to leave the pillbox and surrendered to US troops. In the fight, he sustained a scalp wound and powder burns. Later that day, he helped take ten Italians prisoner.
For his actions during the war, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart; however, these awards were later revoked due to an Army policy preventing official commendation of animals. His unit unofficially awarded him a theater ribbon with an arrowhead for an assault landing, and battle stars for each of his eight campaigns.
Chips was discharged in December 1945 and returned to the Wren family. In 2018, Chips was finally recognized for his bravery was awarded posthumously the PDSA Dickin Medal (Animal equivalent of The Victoria Cross) for his efforts during the war.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
As the artist awarded the task of creating the “Chips” War Dog Memorial, Lena Toritch, MFA, is one of the most brilliant sculpture artists of our time. With a keen eye, compassionate heart, intuitive insight and extraordinary skills she consistently creates exceptional bronze statues that receive the highest praise and appreciation. This Master Sculptor breathes life and spirit into every statue she creates.
Toritch was a graduate student at the prestigious St. Petersburg Academy of Fine Arts in Russia. She mastered human and animal anatomy, the history of art and architecture, composition, drawing, and sculpture. But she yearned for artistic freedom and opportunity so she came to the United States in 1992. Toritch was granted citizenship under the status of “Artist of Exceptional Ability.” She soon teamed up with Sculptor Richard Young who owns Young Fine Art Studio in Salt Lake City. Young was also a sculptor and had created many large scale monuments of his own design and for other famous artists. With Young’s experience and business sense and Toritch’s remarkable artistic talent, they formed an unbeatable team that consistently and reliably delivers impressive world class sculpture.
Additional information
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