Heartbreaking...

[V-John]

I know that this isn't necessarily "bird dog related" but I thought that I'd post it anyways.

Sad, and powerful at the same time.

"This was the funeral of Petty Officer Jon Tumilson, one of the recently fallen US Navy SEALs. His dog laid by his side for the entire service and followed the casket when it was moved."

[Coveyrise64]

Thanks for posting John......

Coveyrise64

[jlp8cornell]

Now my eyes are all wet

[shags]

So touching...

[Byrdgirl]

Wow....thanks for sharing.

[Vonzeppelinkennels]

Truely man's most Loyall Friend.

[CHJIII]

All I can say is "Wow"

Gave me goose bumps.

Thanks John

[markj]

Touching, very touching. God Speed

[Bird Dog 67]

No words..............................

[GUNDOGS]

truly amazing how loyal a dog is, my kids and i watched the movie HACHI with RICHARD GERE, and if you havent seen it you should, its a true story and is just another example of mans BEST friend....ruth

[DogNewbie]

This is why I'm always so confused when I meet someone who claims to not be a dog person...its like saying I'm not really into unconditional love. Well, having never met the man, I'd say his dog's loyalty is proof enough of his character. Too sad

[tommyboy72]

Wow, now I am tearing up a bit which is unusual for me. Nice post and thank you.

[ddoyle]

V-John thanks for the post. Congrats on Grady!

[birddogger]

Another "WOW"!!

Charlie

[ben33127]

God Bless America, thanks for the post!

[northern cajun]

Very, Very Sad.

Remember the man died doing what he loved a statement by his family said "he died living his dream"

The dog "Hawkeye" was a chocolate lab he led the funeral procession.

Do not read this if you do not want to get emotional.

Family, friends, hometown remember SEAL

By Perry Beeman
Des Moines (Iowa) Register

ROCKFORD, Iowa — Jon Thomas Tumilson wrote a class paper when he was 15 years old about how he wanted to spend the next 20 years as a Navy SEAL.

On Aug. 19, about 1,000 mourners paid their last respects to Navy Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL/Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) Tumilson, whose helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on Aug. 6 about 20 years after Tumilson wrote that paper. He was 35 when he died in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces in the decade-old deployment to Afghanistan.

Friends called him J.T.

“J.T. was going to be a Navy SEAL come heck or high water,” friend Scott Nichols said of Tumilson. He joined the Navy in 1995, earning the Bronze Star with a ‘V’ device for valor, a Purple Heart and whole list of commendations for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Outside the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock gym on Friday, an entire trophy case displayed photos and mementos: A Hawkeye wrestling sweatshirt signed by coaches Dan Gable and Jim Zalesky; photos of Tumilson competing in triathlons, riding a horse, hanging out at a place called Hawaii Sky Diving; a picture showed him in a martial arts uniform, and the full range of colored belts were spread out in front of it.

And, of course, plenty of nods to the SEALs, it included a squad photo adorned with the message, "Don't Mess With the U.S."

Inside, a PowerPoint showed Tumilson riding go-carts, scuba-diving, enjoying friends’ company and, as a child, lying face down in the buff. That last one sent roars of laughter through a crowd that filled the Warriors’ gym floor and bleachers. In attendance were Gov. Terry Branstad and Sen. Charles Grassley, along with fellow SEALs, military brass and state lawmakers.

Family members followed Tumilson’s Laborador retriever, Hawkeye, into the service, an hour-long celebration of life that included music Tumilson had selected, stories of bravery and boozing told by his friends, and tearful recollections by his sisters, Kristie Pohlman of Cedar Rapids and Joy McMeekan of Taylor Ridge, Ill.

[jimssetters]

Thank you to all the soldiers.

[asc]

Thank you sir..

[CowboyBirdDogs]

God bless the brave men that fight for our freedom day in and day out!

[Munster]

[Birdman250]

Without those warriors we would not have opportunities doing what we love..May God be with him and his family.

[Onk]

Fair winds and following sea's!

[Trekmoor]

God bless the brave men that fight for our freedom day in and day out!

I'll second that.

Bill T.

[Jordan]

This is why I'm always so confused when I meet someone who claims to not be a dog person...its like saying I'm not really into unconditional love. Well, having never met the man, I'd say his dog's loyalty is proof enough of his character. Too sad

Good post, DN.

[northern cajun]

The Iowa Hawkeyes Football team plan to honor Jon Tumilson at one of their games and may let Hawkeye his dog lead them out.
I very nice gesture from the team.

http://mxp.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/31/fal ... =obnetwork