A patriotic mongrel who could teach us humans

Good day patriotic news readers, I’d like to share with you a story of a WWI four-legged hero from this Tri-state area named “Stubby.” A small mongrel dog who went to war with his adoptive troops and came back a decorated hero. 

Stubby wandered the grounds of the Yale University campus in New Haven, Conn., during the summer of 1917, where military members of the 102nd infantry were training. He hung around the men and they adopted him as their mascot thereafter, smuggling him aboard a troop transport bound for France and the war, hiding him  in a coal locker boiler room. 

Upon disembarking in France, their commanding officer discovered Stubby and ordered he be abandoned on the spot. Stubby saluted the commanding officer as he had been trained during transit and was granted permission to stay. 

Stubby served in the trenches of France with the troops for 18 months. He sustained multiple wounds but survived, always returning to his buddies. He was fitted with an improvised gas mask. He warned troops of impending gas attacks, located wounded soldiers and barked at incoming artillery before human ears could detect it. He captured a German spy in Argonne, holding him by his breeches until armed comrades could arrive. The company commander nominated Stubby for the well-deserved rank of sergeant. At the end of the war, the troops smuggled Stubby back home. 

Thereafter he led many parades across the U.S. He even met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge  and Warren Harding. 

Sgt. Stubby was awarded lifetime membership in the American Legion and the YMCA. 

Sgt. Stubby died in March 1926, an American mongrel hero dearly cherished and missed by his fellow troops. Sgt. Stubby, protected and saved many lives. 

I love animals and children. They are loyal and reciprocate their affection and their dedication to those who surround them. I wish all of us adults could do the same. 

Be sure to vote this Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Your vote could be the difference between Socialism or Freedom. 

God bless you, patriotic readers, and your families. Do a good deed when possible and pray for the continued safety and security of this great nation.  

Till next time…

Millerton resident Larry Conklin is a Vietnam veteran who is a member of both the American Legion Post 178 in Millerton, N.Y., and of the Couch-Pipa VFW Post 6851 in North Canaan, Conn.