Fallen canine servicemember to be memorialized

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Oh. --  The 88th Security Forces Squadron (88 SFS) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will gather for a second time this year to memorialize one of its own fallen service members.

Military Working Dog (MWD) "Lujza" was a drug/narcotics detection and patrol dog who died of intestinal torsion recently, much to the grief of Staff Sgt. Jacob Utley, her handler.

88 SFS plans to honor the 2-year-old German shepherd Aug. 14 at 2:30 p.m. in the supply bay of the 88 SFS, Bldg. 295, 2586 Newark St. The memorial ceremony is expected to include attendance by MWDs and their handlers, SFS members and distinguished guests; readings; a flag-folding ceremony; the playing of "Taps" and a missing dog display of an empty crate, leash and poster of Lujza.

"She was truly a sweetheart," Utley said.

MWD Lujza started her drug and narcotics training in March of 2013 at the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. She arrived at Wright-Patterson AFB in November of 2013, said Staff Sgt. Christopher Pritchett, 88 SFS kennel master.

She performed her mission mostly on base but had one temporary duty assignment at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., where she was credited with one narcotic "find."
"She was extremely lovable," Pritchett said. "She was a great dog with a great personality and wanted to please everybody.

"We lost an amazing tool for our mission," he continued. "Unfortunately she was not here very long but she had the potential to be a great, amazing dog. It's the loss of what could have been."

MWD "Arko", a 6-year-old German shepherd who served nearly five years as a patrol and explosive detector dog, died of intestinal torsion in February. His memorial service was held April 25.