Share:
Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2025 - 2026
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 2, 2024 03:15 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Rosemary M. Brown and Sen. Doug Mastriano |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | K-9 Veterans Day Observed March 13 in the Commonwealth |
| In the near future, we intend to re-introduce legislation, similar to Senate Bill 1108 of 2023-24 Legislative Session, which designates March 13 of each year as “K9 Veterans Day” in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Governor will be requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of Pennsylvania to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. The official K9 Corps was created on March 13, 1942, when the U.S. Military began actively recruiting and training canine forces. Just like human soldiers, military working dogs are always on the clock, actively working in combat zones worldwide. It is important to recognize the thousands of dogs that served with honor, dignity, valor, and heroic efforts throughout history. These K9 military dogs have served in many wars, having been employed by the United States Military from World War I to present conflicts. Every military working dog (MWD) is a non-commissioned officer, one rank higher than their handlers. They are part of the team, part of the risk, part of the intelligence, part of the protection and part of the U.S. Military. Today, dogs continue to serve in the United States and abroad, on both land and at sea; and K9s serve vital roles in the military and law enforcement, as well as other areas of service. These dogs risk their health and lives and work side by side with our human veterans to accomplish difficult missions. Field Medics are now being trained to treat MWD’s. We are pleased to offer this legislation to honor their efforts yearly and continue to educate the Pennsylvania public on their contributions in our military. Several states currently recognize March 13 as K9 Veterans Day including, New Jersey, Florida, Michigan, and West Virginia. Please join us in honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. Miliary Working Dogs, by officially naming March 13 as, K9 Veterans Day, the official birthday of the U.S. Army K9 Corps. If you have any questions regarding this legislation, please contact Christine Zubeck in my office at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov. Thank you for your consideration. |