Story and photos by Mimi M. Maddock

Buck enjoys a cup of ice cream at his 15th birthday party sponsored by the Celebrate Freedom Foundation

Johnny Mayo and his husky, Buck, have been traveling all over the US as ambassadors for the 30,000 war dogs that have served our country and the thousands that have died in combat protecting our troops on nearly every battlefield since WWII. Only 204 war dogs survived of the 4,000 in Vietnam. The war dogs of Vietnam saved over 10,000 lives during their deployment from 1965-1972.

The Vietnam Memorial in our nation's capital could be 100 feet longer if our war dogs had not been on point in Vietnam.

Buck's heroes in the bookBuck's Heroes are the soldiers who gave their all for their country and the thousands of war dogs that also died protecting and saving the lives of their handlers, the grunts, the airmen, and the sailors in the war zone.

Buck's heroes are his master's scout dogs in Vietnam, Tiger and Kelly. Buck's heroes are Caesar, Prince, Dusty, King, Rex, Duke, Wolf, and Opal.

Buck's owner, Johnny Mayo, shows him one of his birthday cakes while Joan Huck, hostess of the party and owner of the Animal Supply House, holds Buck's leash.

Let us remember the K9 soldiers-the war dogs who, because of their undying loyalty, courage, and sacrifices, made it possible for thousands of soldiers to return home to their families and enjoy the American dream. Buck's heroes will never be forgotten. The bookBuck's Heroes is a tribute to these war dogs.

On March 18, 2006, friends of Buck celebrated his 15th birthday with two cakes and ice cream at the Animal Supply House on Garner's Ferry Road. People who wish to help Mayo and Buck with their mission to bring attention to the sacrifices of war dogs, may purchase shirts, memorabilia andBuck's Heroes at the Animal Supply House.

http://www.bucksheroes.com

Jacky Bayne (above), a dog handler in the Vietnam War in 1967, attends Buck's birthday party. (r) Jacky Bayne with his dog Bruno in 1967 just before Bayne's 22nd birthday when he was wounded in the war. Dennis Lewis attends Buck's birthday party. Lewis works hard to keep the memories of the men and dogs who died in Vietnam and Korea in the minds of others. He is one of the ambassadors for the war dog memorial.