628th SFS remembers one of their own

Photo By Senior Airman Ashlee Galloway | Staff Sgt. Brandon Edwards, 628th Security Forces dog handler, lays Waldo to rest at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C., June 6, 2012. Waldo, a military working dog, was assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron and served most of his career here. He was deployed twice to Afghanistan. During his career, Waldo conducted 2,304 hours of searches and completed 425 hours of detection training, leading to safer communities.  

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC, UNITED STATES

06.07.2012

Story by Airman 1st Class Ashlee Galloway 

Joint Base Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. - A military working dog was laid to rest during a Memorial Service June 6 at the Joint Base Charleston - Air Base Theater.

Waldo, an 11-year old German shepherd and military working dog assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron, recently died from an illness.

"The service today was nice, but it is always hard to put your best friend to rest, and Waldo was my best friend," said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Edwards, 628th SFS military working dog handler. "Waldo always had a laid back attitude about him and loved to have fun, I really think he would have enjoyed this."

Waldo arrived at JB Charleston in May 2003. After he completed training to become a fully certified drug detector/patrol dog, at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas, he then arrived to Charleston, S.C.

During his career, Waldo completed more than 2, 300 hours of searches and 425 hours of detection training. He also conducted more than 225 demonstrations for the local community and annually visited schools during Red Ribbon Week to raise drug awareness. Waldo also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom twice.

After the ceremony, Waldo's cremated remains were laid to rest near the 628th SFS dog kennels. He will never be forgotten.

• Date Taken: 06.07.2012
• Date Posted: 06.07.2012 09:39
• Story ID: 89578
• Location: JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC, US