War Dog Memorial Honors Military Canines at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Published on Saturday, May 17, 2025
May 17, 2025
Press Release
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Parker Gavigan
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War Dog Memorial Honors Military Canines at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Exeter, RI—The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery hosted a historic dedication ceremony for the War Dog Memorial this afternoon. The memorial honors the unbreakable bond between military service members and their canine companions. This 18-foot-tall bronze memorial, created by world-famous sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg marks the culmination of his celebrated tributes to these heroic animals.
"With unwavering loyalty and silent courage, noble canines have stood beside America's heroes in the fiercest of battles," said Kasim Yarn, Director of Veterans Services. "This memorial stands not only as a tribute to their bravery, but as a reminder that heroism comes on four legs as surely as it does on two. We honor their sacrifice, their service, and the unbreakable bond they forged in the defense of our nation."
Schomberg is an internationally acclaimed sculptor whose career highlights include the iconic “Rocky” statue in Philadelphia and a series of War Dog Memorials honoring the valor of military canines at prestigious sites like March Airfield Museum in California and Sacrifice Field at Fort Benning, Georgia, and have earned international acclaim for their emotional depth and artistic mastery. The American Fine Arts Foundry of California cast the sculpture.
Ruth Gordon and her late husband, Scott, sparked the vision for the memorial. Together, they ran Delmyra Kennels in Exeter, Rhode Island, for decades, which is still in operation. Their lifelong passion for canines and deep respect for the sacrifices of war dogs fueled a dream to honor these four-legged heroes at the Veterans Cemetery.
“Scott and I always dreamed of a memorial that would honor the incredible bravery and loyalty of war dogs,” said Ruth Gordon. “After his passing, I felt an even deeper resolve to see this project through, not just for the dogs and their handlers, but in Scott’s memory. Completing this memorial feels like fulfilling a promise we made together, and I know he’d be so proud to see it come to life.”
“We are thrilled to unveil this extraordinary tribute to the war dogs who served alongside our veterans with unwavering loyalty,” said George Panichas, organizer and committee member. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, with A. Thomas Schomberg and his wife, Cynthia, flying in from Colorado to join us. Their presence, alongside Ruth Gordon’s inspiring story, made this a must-see moment for our community and for our beautiful Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, which is a model for state cemeteries throughout the United States.”