Gulf War veteran and Florida Legionnaire joined his dog in laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
National Service Dog Day was Sept. 20 and is designed to honor the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities and America's veterans. The day was designated by Congress in 2023 and is part of September’s National Service Dog Month.
We asked you to share how your service dog has impacted your life, so we can share your story with others. We will continue to publish those stories throughout September.
Submit your own story and photo on www.legiontown.org in the “Why I Love My Service Animal” section.
Our latest in the series is from Gulf War veteran Kirk Hinote, a member of American Legion Post 335 in New Port Richey, Fla. He trained his service dog – Tanner, an 8-year-old Belgian Tervuren – when Tanner was eight weeks old. Hinote shares a story about Tanner that took place at one of the nation’s most sacred places: Arlington National Cemetery. (STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Florida was scheduled for the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on April 4, 2026. The Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Florida (being a disabled Vietnam veteran himself) wanted to take disabled veterans with him this year for their annual wreath-laying ceremony, and he invited Tanner and I.
We had a great trip to D.C., doing quite a bit of sightseeing and touring. When we toured the U.S. Capitol building, the guards there were impressed with Tanner and said he was better trained than their dogs!
Of course I can't take all the credit, Belgian Tervurens are not only stunningly beautiful dogs, they are scary smart!
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Commander, myself and Tanner were the ones who laid the wreath. What an incredible honor it was not only to be invited to go, but to actually lay the wreath!
I'm sure there are others, but Tanner is the only dog I know personally who has done so.
Here is a YouTube video link of this: https://youtu.be/aHTxr_MicvA?si=88Uh8Q5c1u6UJXFP or https://acesse.one/wbyio73.
- Veterans Healthcare