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Show "1 Hilltop Times May 20. 2004 C W Air Force News Groups arrange foster care for military pets 1 by Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) Deploying overseas means behind. For servicemembers ones friends and loved leaving with no one to take care of their beloved dog, cat, bird or other pet, it once meant also having to abandon or turn the never to see it again. pet over to a shelter the Military Pets FosThanks to two nonprofit groups ter Project and Operation Noble Foster servicemembers can arrange foster care for their pets while they are gone. The Military Pets Foster Project, a nonprofit group founded by animal lover Steve Albin, has placed about 15,000 pets in foster homes throughout the United States while their owners serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Noble Foster, which specializes in foster homes for cats, has found temporary homes for about 25 military cats a month since shortly " . after Sept. 11, 2001, founder Linda Mercer said. .n-,,, ' '" , - j, : Mr. Albin and Ms. Mercer said they established their groups '' shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That is when they learned that thousands of servicemembers had been forced to give up their pets when they deployed to Operation Desert Storm more than a decade earlier. .in, "What kind of morale builder is that?" Mr. Albin asked. Photo by Master Sgt. Jim Varhegyl "Does it mean that to serve, you have to be willing to put The World War II Memorial is nestled between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Congress authorized the memorial in 1993 and construction began in September 2001. It will be officially dedicated Memorial Day weekend. your best friend to sleep?" Since launching his group, Mr. Albin estimates that it has saved as many as 150,000 pets from being abandoned or turned over to shelters, where pets not quickly adopted often are euthanized. Although dogs and cats are the most common pets in need of foster homes, he said his group has also placed ferrets, rabbits, horses, lizards, snakes and other pig. "It took my breath away," Mr. Toogood said. "When I stood "exotics," including a by Staff Sgt. Melanie Streeter Mr. Albin said he matches pets in need of foster care with in front of the stars on the wall and realized each star repreAir Force Print News sented 100 men 100 lives it just (took my) breath away appropriate foster homes and requires those involved in the see how many lives were lost to preserve the peace." to arrangement to sign a foster agreement. called the "Greatest WASHINGTON They have been Both Mr. Albin and Ms. Mercer said they are impressed memin stars Wall is with adorned Freedom The 4,000 to the a now and them adorns tribute gold Generation," fitting the outpouring of support they receive from people in lives who Americans their by of National Mall here, set between the Washington Monument ory the nearly 400,000 gave the war. On other walls are inscriptions quoting the leaders willing to provide foster care for pets while servicemembers and Lincoln Memorial. deploy supporting the war, serve tours where they cannot retired Master Sgt. Paul Bradford said of the time. "It is take their pets, or even ship off to basic training. "I like the design," Mr. Toogood said. "I like the General of the World War II Memorial. "But it's 50 years late." and "People are opening up their hearts and their doors to help Mr. Bradford served in the Air Force until 1963. During the (Douglas) MacArthur, (and Presidents) Harry Truman the sort read When Roosevelt people of the military Mr. Albin said. "It's a patriotic combat them, as a in Pacific theater you was the you he engi(Franklin) quotes. war, deployed gesture of thanks." neer, building and maintaining runways as Allied forces hopped of get sentimental." Mark Delman from Parker, Colo., signed up through Operin construcand memorial authorized the 1993, to from island island, combating Japan. Congress ation Noble Foster to provide a foster home for five cats "It really is beautiful," he said. "Everything is represented. tion began in September 2001. The official dedication cereIt's a very honored thing, and I think it is just outstanding. mony, scheduled for May 29, is expected to attract more than owned by a military family currently stationed in Germany. Mr. Delman said he encourages others to open their doors 800,000 people. Obviously a lot of thought went into this." as well. Presa the on One the of monument, quote by After the war, Mr. Bradford left the military for a time, but inscriptions "These people are keeping us safe and free, and shouldn't was drawn back to serve. He and his wife, an Army nurse he ident Truman, rings just as true today as when the words were to give up their beloved pets to do so," he said. have 59 to met during the war, went to Japan, where he was assigned spoken years ago. I tell peo"Offering a foster home is a way of saying 'thanks.' "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the serthe 1st Occupation Force. ..,.-.-.do it." to not to hesitate have earned be never can ple of vice our country Mr. Bradford is back with the military again as a resident of repaid. They Mr. Albin encourages servicemembers in need of foster the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, one of two Armed Forces our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifor their pets to give the groups as much notice as poscare fices." Retirement Homes in the nation. of their upcoming deployment so they can find a suitsible of a reminder of With this the memorial, Warren Chief Master lasting retired Another resident, opening Sgt. able home. to come. for will be there those sacrifices said he also appreciated the memorial. generations ;rv-'-v? W1 " i-- "C7v - Dedication May 29 Vets visiting WWII Memorial pot-bellie- d .. - - Too-goo- d, Command visit COVENTRYMORTGAGE VA LOANS Purchase or Refinance 773-677- 7 466 N. 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