War dog memorial to be placed on courthouse grounds

The Young County New Century Veterans Memorial will be getting a special addition of an animal nature, with a memorial to honor all dogs who served in the military. The memorial, called ‘Hero,’ was obtained by David Nolette and Tim Odom and was first proposed before County Judge John Bullock to be placed on the courthouse lawn. To Nolette, finding a home for the memorial was a reward in itself. “It has been a dream for the last year to make sure that Hero finds a home, a home where people can see him and remember what he is all about,” Nolette said. “The one sight that stands out in my mind is the one during World War I, where they utilized 20,000 dogs, and as many of you know, since then we have used many, many, many more dogs over the years and they have served their country well and may have even given their lives in the line of duty.” The original intent was to keep the memorial on the Freedom Care Warrior Ranch, but Nolette wanted the memorial to get more attention and appreciation. Bullock suggested that Nolette and Odom take the request before the New Century Veterans Memorial board, who approved the addition and its message. “A war dog memorial for all those war dogs that have been used all the way back to World War I up until today,” NCVM board member Knox Bishop said. “It was cast originally in plaster and then Dr. (Tim) Odom had an outfit in Fort Worth redo it in bronze, so it’s really solid and a beautiful work of art.” Placement of the project was approved by the Young County commissioners Monday. The statue will look over both of the memorials and will be cast and locked into the ground with a pedestal, Bishop said. “We would like to get a pedestal which is the same granite as the memorial, from the people in Oklahoma that we did the original memorial with, and what we will do the second memorial with as well,” he said. “We will have our pedestal about knee-high and put him on that same granite with the plaque mounted on the front of it.”