War Dog Memorial, Vietnam War, Wildlife Prairie Park - Hanna City, IL - Dog Statues on Waymarking.com

Near Hanna City, within the Wildlife Prairie Park, is a statue of a dog and a soldier.

Wildlife Prairie Park is located west of the city of Peoria. From I-74, take Exit 82 to Kickapoo St/Edwards Road. Go south on this road to the park on the left. After passing through the admissions gate ($8 for adults - 2013), drive into the near parking lot on the right. The memorial is visible between the road and the parking lot.

There is a general, war non-specific memorial for all branches of the military. Looking roughly north from there, the soldier-dog statue is visible in a cleared path, as if they were just coming out of the woods and stopped to look around.

The statue is life-sized and very detailed, right down to the wrinkles in the vest and the hairs on the dog's coat. The dog is leashed. The body stands poised as the head looks ahead for danger.

A Peoria Magazine article has some more information about the statue.

The statue was made in 2003. The artist/sculptor was Erin Mallon of Forest Park. The founder was Dr. Harry Spell of Oregon, IL. The soldier is in Vietnam War era gear and uniform. The article later stated that Vietnam War veterans were largely forgotten, while dogs and dog handlers were even less remembered. Dogs were used to warn of oncoming enemy from behind as well as finding land mines. When the troops went back home, often the dogs were left behind. This memorial is to these dogs.

Sources

Peoria Magazine:
(visit link)

Wildlife Prairie Park:
(visit link)

Breed: German Shepherd Date Built: 5/31/2003

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