Unveiling to take place Veterans Day (Sunday, November 11), at 2:00pm service
by Janice Minton-Kuntz
The bond between Meeks and Artus was so great that Meeks wrote a book about his experience, Before, During, and After VIETNAM: a story of a Scout Dog Handler and his Dog. Artist Anna Carroll, who depicted the soldiers at the memorial and did the granite etchings in the memorial wall, also created a likeness of Artus, who now stands guard on the north side of the memorial. Lansing veteran Seamus McLoughlin is the sculptor who brought the renderings to life.
The unveiling will take place on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, 2:00pm. In addition, the service will include an observance of the centennial anniversary of WWI, the so-called “War to End all Wars.” The actual dedication of the war dog statue will take place on Memorial Day 2019.
About Artus the war dog
Artus was born in Germany in December of 1965 and acquired by the U.S. Army on December 19, 1966. He went to Vietnam in August 1967. Artus served with the 101st Airborne Division, and Meeks was the sixth of seven handlers who worked with Artus. Artus was killed in action on December 12, 1970.
Meeks said, “He was a great dog—smart, loyal, and unafraid. I always felt safe when he was by my side. Because of him I was able to return home without a scratch. He was my buddy, my partner, and my protector. Even though he was KIA 12/11/70 he will always be by my side.”
Community support
Also helping in the creation of the War Dog Memorial are:
- Gary (“Lt. Dan”) and Moira Sinise (who gave $1,600 toward the memorial)
- Dr. Davis Jones, DVM Veterinarian
- US War Dogs Association, Kokomo, Indiana
- Marine Corps League, Calumet Detachment
- Veterans Group “Ramos Raiders,”
- Chicago Heights Vet Center
- Fire Base Josephine
- Committed to Heal
- VFW Post 1151, Kokomo, Indiana
- Capt. Joseph Bijak, USMC, Vietnam
- VFW Post 2791, Tinley Park, Illinois
- Corpsman Frank “Doc” Wayne, U.S. Navy
- Mike and Phil Clarke’s Garden Center, Ford Heights, Illinois
The War Dog Memorial is not yet fully paid for. Interested contributors are requested to call Tom Luberda: 708-895-1321.
The Lansing Veterans Memorial is located at the northwest corner of Burnham Avenue and Glenwood-Lansing Road.
Related:
- Lansing Veterans Memorial (November 2017 article)
First of all, this is wonderful news! I am happy that Artus is being memorialized here at the Lansing Memorial, along with other War Dogs! We should all be grateful for and proud of their Service to our Country!
I would like to make a correction to this article, because I cannot take credit for sculpting the beautiful statues here, at the Memorial. Lansing Veteran, Seamus McLoughlin is the very gifted sculptor.
I had the honor of being able to do drawings and granite etchings, both for the mural on the Memorial wall and for the Artus Memorial.
I will always be grateful for this
experience.
May God bless Tom Luberda and John Meeks, and all Veterans.
Thank you for your Service!
Thank you for this correction, Anna! I updated the story above.
Correction, Gary Sinise’s wife’s name is Moira not Mira. I don’t know why I know that!!
Thank you, Moira—I guess it takes one to know one! I’ve made the correction above.