Our STORY

It all started in the summer of 2010 with a rumor about a forgotten monument. Phil Weitlauf, the founder of the Michigan War Dog Memorial and a US Army veteran, had heard of an abandoned war dog memorial hidden deep in the overgrowth of a neglected pet cemetery in Lyon Township. Curious, he took his trusted German Shepherd, Cody, to investigate. Wading through thick brush and years of neglect, they finally discovered it: a massive, 16-ton granite monument inscribed simply with the words "The War Dog."

This memorial had been built in 1946 by local residents to honor heroes like Sgt. Sparks—a Marine Doberman who survived four major WWII campaigns—only to be forgotten for twenty-five years. Standing in those overgrown woods with Cody, Phil felt a strong sense of duty. He famously said, “Someone should do something about this,” then realized that "someone" had to be him.

What began as a volunteer cleanup with a few military and like minded friends soon grew into the Michigan War Dog Memorial (MWDM). Over the next ten years, Phil and his team transformed that two-acre site into a one-of-a-kind sanctuary now known as the “Arlington for K9s.” It became the only place in the country to offer full-honor burials—complete with bagpipes, a color guard, and a heartfelt "howling salute"—at no cost to the handlers who served alongside these dogs.

As the next generation stepped in, Clint and Krisi Symons looked at the profound impact of the Michigan site and had their own “someone should do something” moment. They were struck by a simple yet heavy question: "Why are we the only ones doing this for free?" They realized that a handler’s right to honor their partner with a dignified burial or a permanent monument shouldn't depend on their proximity to Michigan.
That realization led to the creation of the US War Dog Memorial, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit with a national scope. While Michigan remains our cherished home, our aim is to expand the "Michigan Model” nationwide. We are working to establish new sacred memorial grounds closer to handlers' homes and permanent monuments where every K9 hero’s name can be carved in stone.
Most importantly, we are committed to keeping our promise that no handler should ever have to pay to honor their fallen hero. Even before a physical memorial is built in a new state, our national outreach program is active, sending condolences and honors to handlers across the country to ensure their partner’s sacrifice is recognized. We dream big to ensure these heroes are honored in every corner of the nation.