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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFamily determined to get proper soldier's burial for military dog
Last edited Thu Jan 24, 2013, 06:04 PM - Edit history (1)
Mina served nine tours of duty in Afghanistan, was promoted to sergeant and retired with an honorable discharge from his service to the army. When the retired military hero passed away from a serious lung ailment June Etlinger wanted to him to be buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery, a resting place for the nations military. When she asked the cemetery administration about a burial for Mina she was told a canine burial was not allowed. Now Etlinger is determined to get Mina the proper soldiers burial he deserves.
Etlingers son Sergeant Corey McCourt served three tours with Mina, a black lab. Mina would find bombs and McCourt would disarm them. When Mina received his honorable discharge McCourt wanted the best for him. He just wanted him to have a good life the last couple of years of his life, and he let him do whatever he wanted to do because he earned it, Etlinger says.
McCourt is currently serving so when Mina became ill and had to be put down Etlinger took on the duty of arranging his final resting place. Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan seemed like the logical choice for Etlinger. My father is buried there and my grandmother and my grandfather are buried there. Its a beautiful cemetery and its an honorable cemetery, and I just feel that Mina deserves that as well, she said.
When she inquired with the Great Lakes cemetery administration she was told a canine burial wasnt possible. I dont think hes ever been asked that question before, so he was kind of like no, we dont do that here, she said. Etlinger and her family arent giving up though, they believe Mina should be treated just like the soldier that he was. Her next step is to call Washington. I have a phone number in Washington. That was going to be my next step was to call Washington, she said. He may be a dog, but hes a soldier and he deserves it.
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2013/01/family-determined-to-get-proper-soldiers-burial-for-military-dog/
Bury Sgt.Mina there! She probably deserves it more than some.
Good on McCourt for giving her a good place to live out her life.
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Family determined to get proper soldier's burial for military dog (Original Post)
Are_grits_groceries
Jan 2013
OP
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)1. k&r
Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)2. Sgt. Mina deserves to be buried there
Just as much as any human soldier.
I hope it is eventually allowed to become his final resting place. May he rest in peace.
Melinda
(5,465 posts)3. Know WE need a Washington phone number... Mina deserves no less an honor than a military burial.
Good boy Mina, well done faithful soldier. Dogs are the most amazing beings, hands down.
If anyone knows who to call, please share. I am known for influencing change
xchrom
(108,903 posts)4. A proper resting place for Mina! Nt