What:

The U.S. Postal Service showcases Military Working Dogs Forever Stamps alongside a live Military Working Dog K-9 demonstration.

Who:

Lt. Colonel Carter, MCB Camp Pendleton Provost Marshal
Krystal Tronboll, Veteran Navy MWD Handler
Nathan Goldman, Graphic Designer
Dan Kuhlken, Illustrator
Lisa Baldwin, San Diego Postmaster
Eric Gilbert, Manager Post Office Operations

When:

Friday, August 30, 2019
10:00 a.m.

Where:

Camp Pendleton Marine Base San Luis Rey Gate
K-9 Division
Camp Pendleton, CA 92055

Please RSVP by 8/27/2019 by emailing Michelle Tiberia at Michelle.N.Tiberia@usps.gov. Base access is needed to attend event.

Background:

Brave and loyal military working dogs are essential members of America’s armed forces. Courageous canines have aided U.S. soldiers in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Today, the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base just outside of San Antonio, TX, trains American military working dogs and their handlers. Dozens of dog breeds have served in the U.S. armed forces. Modern military working dogs are predominantly Belgian Malinois, German shepherds, Dutch shepherds and Labrador retrievers.

German shepherds are tall, strong, fast, athletic and easily trainable. Dutch shepherds are similarly built but their coats differ in look and feel. Muscular but slightly smaller than shepherds and light on their feet, Belgian Malinois are also ideal military dogs. A Belgian Malinois named Cairo accompanied Navy SEAL Team Six on its mission to find Osama bin Laden.

The military prizes retrievers, including Labradors, for their extraordinary sense of smell. Labrador retrievers are often trained as specialized search dogs.

When military working dogs reach retirement age, they are usually adopted by their handlers or civilians. Across the country, there are memorials dedicated to these animals. The bravery, loyalty and service of all past and present military working dogs will never be forgotten.

Visuals:

Live demonstration from the SE Battalion K-9 Handlers
K-9 photo booth
Stamp designer and illustrator will be available to sign programs
Military Working Dog Stamps and philatelic items will be available for sale
Pictorial Cancellation will be available

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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