On Sunday, July 14, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry served at the 485th Engineer Battalion’s Family Day at Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy, Britta, and Brutus (LCC Squad) greeted the brave National Guardsmen as they enjoyed a day of food and fun with one another.

On Saturday, July 13, the LCC K-9 Ministries were a part of the annual fundraising event for Wings of Mercy at Campbell Airport in Grayslake, Illinois. Wings of Mercy provides transportation to distant medical facilities for patients who cannot afford to fly. For more details, visit wingsofmercy.org.

The following K-9s gave and received much love during the event: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Asher (Faith Lutheran – Lake Forest, Illinois) and JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy, Brutus and Susie (LCC Squad), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog-in-Training Malachi.

On Friday, July 12, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Staff) and veteran Gene once again greeted the moviegoers at Lake Opeka Park in Des Plaines, Illinois. Movies in the Park is a summer program sponsored by the Des Plaines Optimist Club.

On Friday, July 12, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Staff), LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Chloe (Lord of Life – Elburn, Illinois) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs-in-Training Isaac and Miriam took part in the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) DuPage Health Fair in Wheaton, Illinois. The fair presented services available to assist in recognizing and treating mental health issues in our communities. The K-9s brought many smiles and much love to those attending the fair.

On Monday, July 8, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited the residents and staff of Bethshan Home in Palos Heights, Illinois. The staff here are truly servants to the least of these. Kare 9 Brutus had a chance to greet every resident and staff member, and brought many smiles and much love.

From Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7, the Dundee Township Park District (Illinois) hosted the Wall That Heals. The Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The replica stands 8 feet tall and at its highest point is 375 feet long. It contains all 58,000 names of those brave Americans who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry was represented each day by the Kare 9s and their veteran handlers.
 
This was an extremely moving time for all who attended, especially those who served and, by the grace of God, returned from Vietnam. Despite very hot conditions, the K-9s served with their usual compliment of mercy, compassion and love.

On Saturday, July 6, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy, Britta, Brutus, Butch and Flex (LCC Squad) were present for the Military Memorial Service of Seaman Kenneth H. Hickman in Freeport (Illinois). SN Hickman was lost at sea in 1958 while servicing as a Fire Control Technician (FT) aboard the USS Bristol (DD-857).
 
While a memorial service was held aboard the USS Bristol, there was never a memorial service held in his hometown of Freeport (Illinois) due to the lack of information concerning his death. However, thanks to SN Hickman’s cousin’s, Georgina Haynes, dedicated and tenacious research, the information his family needed for closure was found.

Finally, after 61 years, family and friends gathered to provide SN Kenneth H. Hickman a Military Memorial Service in his hometown to honor his service and sacrifice, and to also honor his family who sacrificed and suffered too long.

On Thursday, June 27, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Eddie (Peace Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska) attended the funeral for Trooper Jerry Smith of the Nebraska State Patrol. Police Ministry Dog Eddie offered comfort to many first responders.

Trooper Smith was killed in the line of duty when his patrol car was hit by another motorist on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

He was a five-year veteran of the state patrol, and a decorated 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army.

Hundreds of first responders attended the service, including many law enforcement officers from across the country, who came to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to honor their fallen brother.

On Sunday, June 30, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) were guests at Zion Lutheran Church’s Picnic in Naperville, Illinois. LCC staff member, Jim Morrison, made a short presentation about the K-9 Ministries to the 100+ people in attendance. After a great lunch, the K-9s had time to meet and greet the members and guests at the picnic.

On Friday, June 28, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brandy and Brutus (LCC Squad) were at Lake Opeka Park in Des Plaines, Illinois to meet and greet the moviegoers at the Des Plaines Optimist Club’s Movies in the Park. Young and old alike were happy to get some love and comfort from the Kare 9s and hear the stories from their veteran handlers.