Expressing appreciation for the contributions of military animals and their handlers, this bill supports recognizing their valor and meritorious achievements through awards and ceremonies.
Julia Brownley
Representative
CA-26
This bill acknowledges and honors the significant contributions, valor, and sacrifices of military animals and their handlers throughout history, recognizing their vital role in the United States' freedom and safety. It supports establishing a yearly process to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal, further commemorating their meritorious achievements.
House Resolution Honors Military Animals and Handlers, Plans Annual Bravery Awards
This resolution is all about giving a major shout-out to the animals—dogs, horses, even pigeons—that have served alongside human handlers in the U.S. military and other services. It officially recognizes their contributions, bravery, and sacrifices, both historically and in current operations. Think of it as a formal 'thank you' from the House of Representatives.
Paws, Hooves, and Wings: A History of Service
The resolution digs into the history, noting that military animals have been officially recognized since 1942, though their service goes way back. It highlights some seriously impressive (and sobering) stats:
- Over 8 million horses and mules were killed in World War I.
- The Army Signal Corps used 54,000 pigeons in World War II.
- More than 11,500 dogs were trained during WWII, with 2,000 sent overseas.
- Thousands of dogs served in Vietnam, and thousands more in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2006.
Today, there are over 3,000 military working dogs in the U.S., and about 2,000 deployed worldwide. The resolution also points out the 341st Training Squadron, which trains hundreds of dogs annually, including those explosive-detection dogs you see at airports (working for the TSA).
It's not just about the military, either. The resolution acknowledges the roughly 15,000 police canines and 2,000 certified search and rescue teams across the country, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and U.S. Marshals Service canine programs.
Making it Official: The Medal of Bravery
Beyond just saying 'thanks,' the resolution supports creating a yearly process to nominate animals for the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal. This medal, started in 2019, has already honored 27 animals. The next ceremony is planned for March 11, 2025, where seven more animals and their handlers will be recognized.
What It Means for You
While this resolution doesn't create new laws or spend money, it's a significant gesture of recognition. It shines a light on a part of military and public service that often goes unnoticed. For anyone who's worked with or been helped by these animals, it's a validation of their importance. It could also help raise awareness and potentially lead to more support for organizations that train and care for these animals.
The resolution specifically calls for a "yearly process to nominate animals" (Section 2), which means setting up a system for this recognition to continue. It is important that the selection process should be fair and transparent.