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Warriors of the North pay final respects to AirMAN's best friend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Airmen and civilians paid their final respects to a four-legged friend and fellow Warrior of the North.

A memorial service was held at Prairie Rose Chapel here May 15 in honor of Aron, a Military Working Dog with the 319th Security Forces Squadron.

Aron, a Belgian Malinois, served as a patrol narcotics detector dog. Aron entered service at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, June 30, 2009, and arrived at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., in November 2009.

Aron became ill May 5. The cause of his sudden medical condition was unknown, which required examination and treatment by a specialist in Fargo, N.D. The diagnosis of cancerous tumors which affected the function of his vital organs was delivered to his last handler, Staff Sgt. Anna Stevens, who along with the base veterinary technician, Army Sgt. Evan Nolte, transported the sick companion to Fargo May 7.

"I didn't expect to lose a fellow defender. Sergeant Nolte and I drove to Fargo thinking that Aron would be coming back with us." said Stevens. "When Sergeant Nolte told me the news I instantly felt my stomach drop."

After more than six hours Aron was humanely euthanized at approximately 11:37 p.m.

"I hugged him and watched him take his last breath," said Stevens. "Sergeant Nolte and I drove home in absolute silence."

The news of Aron falling victim to cancer came as a complete shock to members of the K-9 section, especially since Aron had not shown any prior symptoms.

Stevens reminisced and told those attending the memorial service that Aron had embarrassed her in a five-kilometer run less than a week before he was euthanized.

"Aron never showed a sign of weakness or pain. The cancer never interfered with his gentle demeanor, and every time I or anyone else walked through the kennel door the excitement in his face never faded," said Stevens who tried to hold back the tears as she told the story of how she and Aron became partners a little more than a month ago.

"Our kennel master, informed me that there was going to be a dog swap, and that's news that we canine handlers don't generally take lightly; however, when [Technical] Sergeant [Jose] Meza told me I was going to be picking up Aron a smile stretched across my face."

Stevens explained that most dog teams take time to build trust between dog and handler, but she didn't need that because she had become familiar with Aron for the past year and a half.
"I knew he wouldn't let me down," said Stevens. "In fact, Aron was an inspiration and reminded me of why I wanted to be a military working dog handler."

Although Stevens was partnered with Aron for a short time, she said it was as an honor to work with a MWD like him and say she was his handler.

Stevens is one of the eight handlers Aron had as a MWD. Staff Sgt. Melissa Orozco, Aron's handler before Stevens, also shared some personal thoughts about the canine with a badge.

"Just like anyone who had ever come in contact with him I instantly fell in love," said Orozco.

Orozco told the silent crowd in the chapel that she looked forward to going to work because she knew that when she walked in she would be greeted by Aron, who she described as 80 pounds of love and affection. The NCO even admitted to finding herself spending her days off at the kennel just to be with him.

She elaborated on some of the specific reasons why she enjoyed working with Aron.

"When we were on shift he never complained about my choice of music or my out of tune singing voice," said Orozco in a shaky voice while trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"He never showed annoyance with anything except deer and horses."

Orozco could not leave the church podium without addressing the concerns of anyone who may have questioned the reasoning or justification for a memorial service for Aron.

"I know there are people who may sit and wonder why all this for a dog or a piece of government-issued equipment, but these MWDs are far from being just equipment," said Orozco.

Aron brought joy and love to any room we walked into. He was my protector, and on many mornings my workout partner..., but most of all he was my dog and companion. Although my time with him was short the memories I have of will last. He will be missed every day."