This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Sergeant Sparks to be Honored at K-9 Veterans' Day March 9, 2013

After 67 years Sergeant Sparks is finally getting a Headstone to create the perfect lasting tribute to a unique life lived.

Pet lovers contributed more than $3,700 in 1946 to erect a 16–ton granite monument, a tribute to dogs in military service at the Michigan War Dog Memorial (formerly known as Happy Hunting Grounds Memorial Park for Pets) located at Eleven Mile and Milford Road in Lyon Township.

Present at the dedication was Platoon Sgt. Sparks, a Doberman Pinscher  

Sparks Serial Number 49 was attached to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion 1st Marine Raider Regiment that survived Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, and Guam.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He was returned to his owner in Rochester, MI April 30, 1946 and a year later, someone poisoned Sgt. Sparks near his Rochester home. 

His master requested that he be wrapped only in a blanket, like so many of his buddies at the beaches and interred at the base of the monument.

Find out what's happening in West Bloomfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So for 67 years Sergeant Sparks has laid buried at the Michigan War Dog Memorial without a headstone. 

On March 9, 2013, The Michigan War Dog Memorial Restoration Team will be honoring Sergeant Sparks during their annual K-9 Veterans’ Day Ceremony by placing a 24” x 12” headstone to create the perfect lasting tribute to a unique life lived.

The Michigan War Dog Memorial is located at Eleven Mile and Milford Road Lyon Township, Michigan.

If You Would Like to Make a Donation Send Your Checks To:

 

Am Vets-Post 2006

PO Box 48

Highland, Michigan 48357 

Tag Check for: "Michigan War Dog Memorial"

For more information,

Contact: (Phil Weitlauf, phone 248-685-8307; pweitaluf@gmx.com)

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from West Bloomfield