Military Working Dog Monument Dedication and Retirement Published July 28, 2008 By 030708 EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Media are invited to attend the dedication of the Work Dog Monument and the retirement ceremony for four Eglin and one Hurlburt working dog. The ceremony will take place on Aug. 1, at 2 p.m., at the Air Force Armament Museum. Media interested in attending this event should call Lois Walsh at 882-5987. Information on the retiring dogs is below: Deny F371: was born in September 2001. He arrived at Eglin AFB on 4 March 2004. During his 3 ½ years on active duty, Deny was assigned to Tech Sgt Michele Stringert and deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan and Al Udeid, Qatar. He assisted the secret service with protecting the President of the United States and dignitaries on many occasions and conducted explosive sweeps in New York City for the 2006 United Nations Summit. In July 2007, Deny was diagnosed with lumbosacral disease, bilateral hip dysplasia with degenerative joint disease of both tarsal joints. After he was declared excess by the Air Force, Deny was adopted by Sergeant Stringert in September 2007. Jacco B030: was born in September 1996. He arrived at Eglin AFB on 8 July 1998. During his 8 years on active duty, Jacco was assigned to five handlers. He deployed to Prince Sultan AB, Kirkuk, Iraq and FOB Warhorse, Iraq finding numerous weapons caches and saving thousands of lives. Jacco also assisted the secret Service in the Protection of many dignitaries including the President of the United States. In December 2005, Jacco was diagnosed with arthritis in the spine and degenerative joint disease. After he was declared excess by the Air Force, Jacco was adopted by his former handler Ricky Hooker and his family in July 2006. Blesk Z071: was born in November 1995. He arrived at Eglin AFB on 1 March 1997. During his 9 years on active duty, Blesk was assigned to five handlers. He deployed to Pakistan, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Ar'ar, Saudi Arabia, and Kirkuk, Iraq. Blesk was tasked with more than forty Secret Service mission protecting the President of the United States and other dignitaries. He also completed an explosive mission to India. Blesk was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. After he was declared excess by the Air Force, Blesk was adopted in March 2006 by Staff Sgt Justin Morrison and his wife Jenny. MAX H348: was born in February 2003. He arrived at Eglin AFB on 14 October 2005. During his 2 ½ years of service, Max was assigned to two handlers. Max deployed to Iraq in 2007 and was responsible for finding several weapons caches saving thousands of lives. Max also assisted the Secret Service in protection of the President of the United States. In March 2008, Max was diagnosed with severe dilated cardiomyopathy and severe mitral insufficiency. These diseases are severe and potentially life-threatening heart conditions that will require lifelong medical treatment and monitoring for this debilitating condition. After he was declared excess by the Air Force, Max was adopted in July 2008 by Staff Sgt Kathleen Lee. MARCO H200: was born in September 2001. He arrived at Hurlburt Field on 10 March 2005 and was assigned to Staff Sgt Andrew Rodriguez. During his initial training, it was discovered that Marco had serious health problems. Medical tests and X-rays revealed that Marco arrived to Hurlburt Field with a broken back and degenerative joint disease. His body may have been broken but his spirit remained strong. He tried to overcome his aliments but unfortunately it was too much. Marco was declared excess by the Air Force and adopted by Tech Sgt Rebecca Lind in February 2008. Sculptor Susan Bahary will also be available for interviews or she can be reached at 415-531-9212.