Photo By Taylor Curry | Deceased military working dog Iian’s badge and name tape are displayed on his kennel...... read more read more
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BUSAN, South Korea - The 8th Security Forces Squadron held a memorial service at the base chapel May 21 to honor the life of a military working dog, Iian.
"Trust in me my friend, for I am your comrade. I will protect you with my last breath. When all others have left you and the loneliness of the night closes in, I will be at your side," a passage from the poem "Guardians of the Night" read during the memorial.
Iian, age 11, tragically passed away recently from a battle against cancer.
Iian was a Belgian Malinois born into the military working dog program in 2003. He began his patrol and explosive detector dog training in April 2004 after living the first year of his puppy life with an adopted family.
He was assigned to Kunsan Air Base in October of 2004. Since then, Iian has worked with 13 handlers in his career. It has been stated by the current kennel master that he has been an all-around great MWD, being hard-hitting and having a keen nose - and his love for a Kong was unrivaled.
His previous handler, Staff Sgt. Aaron Reason, 8th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, had some words to share about his friend.
"There are no words to explain how much this dog meant to me, our kennels, our country and our mission," Reason said. "Iian loved what he did so much that he would work until his final day, and that was absolutely true. Not a day went by that he wasn't motivated to go to work. Partners like Iian are why we handlers even pick up a leash in the first place."
One of Iian's final missions was one of the most important for a MWD. He was tasked with protecting the president of the U.S. with a mission to search venues for threats at places the president would either speak at or stay.
Iian's most current handler, Staff Sgt. Daniel Sayarot, 8th SFS MWD handler, also shared some words for his K9 companion during his speech at the memorial.
"I can definitely say that Iian was by far the best MWD I have ever had the distinct honor of working with," Sayarot said. "He set the bar so high, and I can say that every other dog I handle after him will live in his shadow."
According to Sayarot, while on missions when they had to share hotel rooms, Iian was such an outgoing dog. He would leave his kennel and jump on the bed with his handler when he was watching television.
"Even in his old age, he didn't just fade away or wind down... he was full force the entire journey," Sayarot said. "Now my friend... you finally get to enjoy some well-deserved and hard earned rest."
| Date Taken: | 05.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2014 22:09 |
| Story ID: | 132238 |
| Location: | BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: | 2,169 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kunsan reflects during memorial service for MWD Iian, by TSgt Clayton Lenhardt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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