Press Release from John C. Burnam, President, JBMF, Inc.

Keith Monument Company was selected by the John Burnam Monument Foundation, Inc. (JBMF) to provide high quality granite from the Rock of Ages quarry in Vermont to construct a unique national monument for U.S. military working dog teams. The 3000 square foot design of granite with heroic size bronze statues of dogs and a dog handlers was constructed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Lackland has been the training center for U.S. military working dogs and dog handlers since 1958. It is also the home of the largest and most sophisticated military working dog veterinary hospital in the world.

John C. Burnam, President, JBMF, Inc. is the founder of the national monument and a highly decorated Vietnam veteran infantryman and German shepherd Scout Dog Handler. John is also the author of “Canine Warrior; How a Vietnam Scout Dog Inspired a National Monument” available in book stores in May 2014.

John spent many years leading the effort across the country for a national monument to honor the service and sacrifice of America’s military working dogs of all wars since WWII. The U.S. Congress approved the legislation and President George W. Bush signed it into law on January 28, 2008 authorizing JBMF to build it. The project was completed in October 2013.

Rich Urbach of Keith Monument Company stated, “We were thrilled beyond words to have had a significant role in the construction of a national monument honoring our nation’s heroic war dog teams. The American people now have a beautiful granite and bronze monument to visit and treasure for the rest of time.”

Mr. Burnam stated, “The entire company’s professional approach to customer relations even before the work started was impressive. Their attention to the tiniest of details during the many months of craftsmanship of the monument’s granite design specifications, cutting, engraving, polishing, shipping, and final installation were all top notch – start to finish. The result brought tears to the eyes of many who attended the unveiling ceremony, including myself!”

The U.S. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is open to the general public and their dogs.