The military working dog Gaston spent his entire life at Uppland Air Wing F 16. Normally, a dog serves in the Armed Forces for eight years, but together with his dog handler Björn Sollander, Gaston was part of a close-knit, inseparable and stretched team for a full ten years.
In December last year, Gaston was the first service dog to be awarded the Swedish Armed Forces' Service Medal for the Defence of the Realm in gold with ribbon decoration, a medal that is awarded to soldiers who have served for a total of 12 years.
"Giving a dog a medal can be perceived as mostly a fun and nice gesture, but for me it was very big and I felt an incredible sense of pride. Abroad, it is much more common to draw attention to the dog in such a way because it is believed that it is making such a great sacrifice. The air force became a big part of his life. This is where he worked, until the very end," says Björn Sollander.
After his retirement, Gaston continued to live at F 16 and was used for training, among other things. This summer, he was taken to a final rest, 13 years old, and was honored with a minute of silence at F 16.
A good doggo
A good doggo
These kinds of stories always makes me tear up a bit.
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jemhouston
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Belushi TD
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Re: A good doggo
I can't imagine that the puppy in question understands the full meaning of the award, but I do, and I am bloody glad that there are still organizations out there that are willing to give acknowledgement where it is due.
Skoal!
If that's the wrong toast, I apologize
Belushi TD
Skoal!
If that's the wrong toast, I apologize
Belushi TD