RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Dogs and their human companions filled the steps and grounds of the Virginia War Memorial on Saturday to honor all military K9s and their service.
Pups, dog lovers and K9 officers and veterans gathered on Saturday, March 14, for the 4th annual Virginia War Memorial Dog Walk. The event invited participants to take a 0.9-kilometer stroll around the memorial’s grounds, as the “.9K9” walk aims to commemorate the sacrifices of service dogs on the battlefields of war and in our local communities.
Organizers said the gathering celebrates the National K9 Veterans Day on March 13 each year. Virginia is among several states that participate in the celebration and has been doing so for 13 years since 2013.
March 13, 1942, marked the day the U.S. Army began training the “K9 Corps” for its War Dogs Program during World War II, per organizers…