BLUF: Charles County is leading the nation in honoring our four-legged heroes with America’s First Veterans Service Dog Memorial, launching September 20th at the Maryland Veterans Museum.
🏛️ A Historic First for Our Nation
Something unprecedented is happening right here in Charles County, Maryland. For the first time in American history, we’re creating a memorial dedicated specifically to honoring ALL veterans service dogs nationwide. This isn’t just another local project – this is a groundbreaking initiative that will set the standard for how our nation recognizes the life-saving partnerships between veterans and their service dogs.
The Veterans Service Dog Memorial (VSDM) represents more than stone and bronze – it represents our commitment to never forget the four-legged warriors who continue serving our heroes long after they’ve returned home.
🎖️ Local Champions Leading a National Movement
This historic memorial is being brought to life by a coalition of Charles County champions who understand the profound impact of the human-animal bond:
- “Sarge” Julie Muster Bryson – U.S. Army veteran and retired Charles County Veterans Service Manager, leading the charge with 23 years of VA claims experience
- Brian Piaquadio – Marine Corps veteran and Chewy’s partner – The inspiration behind this memorial, representing countless veteran-service dog partnerships
- Maryland Veterans Museum with Mr. Lawrence Abell – Providing the perfect venue for this historic tribute
- Community partners who recognize that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off
🏠 Why Charles County? Why Now?
Charles County has always been a community that honors service. With our rich military heritage and strong veteran population, we understand that healing doesn’t happen in isolation – it happens through connection, support, and recognition.
Every day, veteran service dogs across America provide:
- 🧠 PTSD symptom management – Interrupting nightmares, providing crowd control, detecting anxiety attacks
- 🦽 Physical disability support – Mobility assistance, balance support, medical alert detection
- 🏡 Daily independence restoration – Opening doors, retrieving items, providing stability
- 👨👩👧👦 Family healing – Supporting not just the veteran, but spouses and children who also carry the weight of service
These partnerships save lives. This memorial ensures their service is never forgotten.
📅 September 20th: A Community Celebration
Mark your calendars for September 20, 2025, when the Maryland Veterans Museum in Newburg will host the official VSDM Kickoff Event. This isn’t just a groundbreaking ceremony – it’s a community celebration of service, sacrifice, and the healing power of the human-animal bond.
🎉 Event Highlights:
- 📸 Professional photography documenting this historic moment
- 🤝 Community partnerships showcasing local business support
- 🎤 Veteran testimonials sharing service dog impact stories
- 🎨 Memorial design reveal showing the vision for this permanent tribute
- 🧱 Brick campaign launch allowing individuals to be part of history
🚀 Beyond the Memorial: A Movement for Change
The Veterans Service Dog Memorial represents something larger than a single monument. It’s the beginning of a national conversation about:
- ⏰ Service dog accessibility – Addressing the 2-3 year waiting lists veterans face
- 💰 Training funding – Supporting the $15K-$30K cost of preparing each service dog
- 📢 Awareness building – Educating communities about service dog partnerships
- 💔 Veteran suicide prevention – Recognizing service dogs as life-saving interventions
🤝 How You Can Be Part of History
This memorial belongs to our entire community. Here’s how you can join this historic initiative:
📍 ATTEND THE KICKOFF: September 20th at Maryland Veterans Museum – be part of the official launch
🧱 BRICK CAMPAIGN: Purchase a commemorative brick to permanently honor a veteran, service dog, or supporter
🏢 BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS: Local businesses can sponsor elements of the memorial and ongoing events
🙋♀️ VOLUNTEER SUPPORT: Help with event logistics, outreach, and ongoing memorial maintenance
📱 SPREAD THE WORD: Share this historic initiative with your networks – every voice matters
🏛️ A Legacy That Lives On
When future generations visit the Veterans Service Dog Memorial, they’ll see more than names etched in stone. They’ll see a community that understood the true meaning of service – that healing happens through partnership, that strength comes through support, and that no veteran should face their battles alone.
This memorial will stand as a testament to Charles County’s leadership in veteran care and our commitment to honoring ALL who serve – both two-legged and four-legged heroes.
🎯 The mission is clear: Honor the past, support the present, and build a future where every veteran has access to the healing partnership of a service dog.
Join us September 20th as we make history together.
For more information about the Veterans Service Dog Memorial or to get involved, contact the organizing committee or visit the Maryland Veterans Museum. Together, we’re not just building a memorial – we’re building a movement.
🎖️ ~Sarge
Julie Muster Bryson, M.S., CAP
Boots 2 Benefits LLC
sarge@boots2benefits.com | +1 (443) 924-6809
“You served. You earned it. Now file with confidence.”
⚠️ Even Sarge isn’t infallible—I’ve been known to mix up my left from my right during formation 🤷♀️, so always double-check everything I tell you because while my heart’s in the right place, my brain occasionally goes AWOL. The last thing we need is a friendly fire incident! 🚫🔥