2023 ANIMALS IN WAR AND PEACE MEDALS

The Third Annual Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony will recognize and honor six unsung U.S. animal heroes for their accomplishments in both war and peace in Washington, DC on March 8, 2023.

Since 1943, the United Kingdom has been the only country in the world to honor animals with its international PDSA Dickin Medal, also known as the Victoria Cross for Animals.

U.S. Members of Congress will present medals to America's animal heroes at the March 8th ceremony for either the Medal of Bravery or Distinguished Service Medal which is commensurate with the British PDSA Dickin Medal.

The Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery will be awarded to one pigeon and four canines that served in past wars (posthumous), and current working or retired military dogs representing our military services for their courage and sacrifice on behalf of the U.S. The 2023 heroes are The Mocker (WW1 pigeon); K9 Jafar (Baytown, TX Police Dept (alive)); MWD Paco P352 (U.S. Army (alive)); MPC Kay (75th Army Ranger Regiment); and MPC Shimanski (Marine Corps Special Operations Command (alive)).

The Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal, will be awarded to a horse named Sgt. York (U.S. Army Caisson Platoon (alive). Sgt. York is distinguished by his exceptionally meritorious service to our nation in a duty of great responsibility.

Three of the alive canine heroes and their handlers, K9 Jafar, MWD Paco P352, and MPC Shimanski, will be available for photos and media interviews at the ceremony at 3:30PM in the Gold Room, Rayburn House Office Building.

To continue the efforts of creating the annual process of Congressionally mandated awards, a second House Resolution will be introduced later this spring. The 2023 Congressional resolution sponsored by Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL) acknowledges the importance of recognizing and honors our animals and their valiant human handlers for bravery in war and peace. The first bi-partisan House Resolution, H.Res. 935, was presented in the House of Representatives by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) in February 2022.

Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2022 - 3:00PM (Press Interviews), 3:30PM to 5:30PM (Ceremony)

Place: The Gold Room, Rayburn House Office Building, 45 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC

Hosts: The event is hosted by Angels Without Wings, Inc./Animals in War & Peace, The Livingood Group LLC, and US War Dogs Association, Inc. The mission of Animals in War & Peace is to honor and recognize U.S. animals for bravery and distinguished service in both war and peace where they, and their valiant human handlers, will be appreciated and recognized for generations to come.

For more information: Robin Hutton, (805) 603-2174, waranimals@yahoo.com; Mari Lou Livingood, (703) 297-5961, mariloulivingood@gmail.com; or go to https://AnimalsInWarAndPeace.org/medal-of-bravery

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
2022 ANIMALS IN WAR AND PEACE MEDALS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n09a36.html)
SECRET SERVICE DOG DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n11a27.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web