JBMF

Military Bowl, Washington DC, December 28, 2011.

MEDAL OF HONOR: WALTER JOSEPH MARM JR., First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Entered service at Pittsburgh, Pa. Born: 20 November 1941, Washington, Pa.

GENERAL ORDER CITATION: la Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. As a platoon leader in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 1st Lt. Marm demonstrated indomitable courage during a combat operation. His company was moving through the valley to relieve a friendly unit surrounded by an enemy force of estimated regimental size. 1st Lt. Marm led his platoon through withering fire until they were finally forced to take cover.

Realizing that his platoon could not hold very long, and seeing four enemy soldiers moving into his position, he moved quickly under heavy fire and annihilated all 4. Then, seeing that his platoon was receiving intense fire from a concealed machinegun, he deliberately exposed himself to draw its fire. Thus locating its position, he attempted to destroy it with an antitank weapon.

Although he inflicted casualties, the weapon did not silence the enemy fire. Quickly, disregarding the intense fire directed on him and his platoon, he charged 30 meters across open ground, and hurled grenades into the enemy position, killing some of the 8 insurgents manning it. Although severely wounded, when his grenades were expended, armed with only a rifle, he continued the momentum of his assault on the position and killed the remainder of the enemy.

1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission. 1st Lt. Marm's gallantry on the battlefield and his extraordinary intrepidity at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

November 17, 2011 - Washington DC.

Meeting on Capitol Hill with U.S. Representative Jones (congressional legislative sponsor of national monument) was organized by John Burnam to discuss the corporate support of Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. and PETCO.

Award of appreciation presented to Jerry Guerra, Attorney at Law. November 7, 2011.

Larry Chilcoat presented prominent Corpus Christi, Texas attorney Jerry Guerra(center) and paralegal Frank Lazarte(left) with a bronze model of the monument pedestal with four dogs and dog handler. Jerry and his staff were recognized for their support of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument project.

Vohne Liche Kennels K-9 Olympics in Denver, Indiana, September 1, 2011

JBMF monument project promotion table and the Natural Balance Pet Foods tent at the Vohne Liche Kennels K-9 Olympics in Denver, Indiana, September 1, 2011.

Pumpkins 'n' Pooches Autumn Fair & Dog Fest in Colchester, Connecticut October 2, 2011

Larry Chilcoat spreading the word of our wonderful dogs and the effort to establish a national monument to their continuing service to mankind.

September 10-11 Wonder Pets Expo at the AZ State Fairgrounds

Jim's comment,"Some great people stopped by the booth, including actress and pet adoption advocate Megan Blake; she stopped by the booth several times along with her dog, 'Super Smiley.'"

August 24th through 27th Police K9 Magazine HITS Show

JBMF had a great time introducing so many people to the monument and talking with so many of our supporters and sponsors. Thank you Police K9 magazine for sponsoring a booth for us!

April 29th thru May 1st Irving Texas

JBMF met some fantastic people and saw some beautiful German Shepherd Dogs. We engaged in some excellent conversations and had a very receptive audience! Perhaps we can do it again next year?

April 9th Plano Texas

April 9, 2011 Plano Texas "Dog Walk For The Monument. Pictured from left to right, Assistant Chief of Police Ed Drain, Richard Deggans, John Burnam and Deputy Mayor Pat Miner. Pat Miner presented JBMF with a proclamation.click here to see it.

March 31st Washington, D.C.

Presentation of 12 inch Bronze Model to U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones, Legislative Sponsor of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. Making presentation is John C. Burnam, President, JBMF, Inc.

March 18th Fort Belvoir

The JBMF Team met with representatives of the Pentagon Military Working Dog Program, Department of the Army, and the National U.S. Army Museum. The meeting was to discuss the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument and where it could be permanently placed on the grounds of the 41 acre U.S. Army Museum area.

Visitors to the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument will have use of the following:

National U.S. Army Museum's main building (approx. 175,000 square feet exhibit space)

• Outdoor park with a memorial garden
• Parade ground
• Space to accommodate ceremonies, reenactments, lectures, and educational programs
• Ample public parking
• Space inside the Museum will be available to veterans for conferences and reunions
• Thirty minutes south of the National Mall in Washington, DC
• Ten minutes from Mount Vernon, historic home of the nation's first commander-in-chief
• The Museum will welcome an estimated one million visitors every year

National U.S. Army Museum rendering: Click here

Phoenix Arizona, March 3, 2011

I have this booth for a number of reasons. First and foremost is to inform the public about what these military canines mean to this country. The lives they have saved; their accomplishments; their heroism, loyalty and sacrifice. Another major reason is to help raise funds for the construction of the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument. The booth is a series of posters, handouts, and donation information. The posters show the history of the US Military Working Dog Program.

One of the posters concerns Sergeant Stubby, the hero of World War I. Even though Stubby wasn't an official MWD, he had the instinct in him to protect the soldiers. He saved lives on numerous occassions, by warning of impending mustard gas attacks and by locating wounded soldiers. He was honored repeatedly upon return to the United States.

An additional poster concerns World War II and provides a short history of the Dogs used in the Pacific theater,the Doberman Pinscher, as well as Chips, the hero dog of the European Theater.

I also have a poster containing information regarding the MWDs that served in Korea, Vietnam, and the war on terror. The final display is a memorial posters of those handlers and canines who have given their lives in the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, and tell the story of the Lee family - the first family to adopt their sons military canine.

There are opportunities, through various handouts, for people to take information to study at a later date. The booth also contains information on the Military Working Dog Adoption Program, in conjunction with Debbie Kandoll, that has drawn huge interest. There is also information available encouraging people to visit WWW.JBMF.US web site for the latest news on the Monument. In order to provide additional historical information and pictures there are handouts with information on www.uswardogs.org, operated by Ron Aiello for people to get a comprehensive history regarding the MWD program as well as view all the photos from WWII to present day use.

I accept donations for the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument as well. I do this with a donation jar for people to drop whatever amount they wish into it. I also offer Dog Tags of Courage, caps, and shirts depending upon the amount of donation involved. At a recent dog show interest ran high I practically sold out of shirts and did so with caps.

This booth means a lot to me. It allows me direct contact with people and to tell people about the Military Working Dog story. I am proud that we have been interviewed by both the print and video news media over the years. Its exceeded my expectations, the people stopping by have exceeded my expectations. I set up at dog shows, pet expos, and neighborhood/community events. None are too big, none are too small.

On behalf of the military working dogs past, present and future as well as the JBMF team, we are very grateful Jim!

Galveston Texas, January 29, 2011

The legendary country music group The Oak Ridge Boys show their support for the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument with Larry Chilcoat JBMF, Inc. treasurer. The photo was taken back stage before their concert in Galveston, Texas on January 29, 2011.