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Saturday, June 28, 2008

America Supports You: Hunting Dog Trained for Wounded Soldier

Army Capt. James Barclay IV bonds with his hunting dog, Bryant. A Williamsburg, Va., trainer donated his services to train Bryant for Barclay, who was wounded in an Afghanistan roadside-bomb attack. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joe Laws


By Army Spc. Andrew Orillion
Special to American Forces Press Service


WILLIAMSBURG, Va., June 27, 2008 – On Aug. 19, 2006, the life of Army Capt. James Barclay IV changed forever.

He was in the lead vehicle of a convoy in a remote area of Afghanistan when a roadside bomb tore through his vehicle. Barclay survived, but suffered burns over 40 percent of his body.

Barclay’s life changed again June 24, but this time for the better.

Marc Illman, owner of The Pet Resort at Greensprings here, reunited Barclay with Bryant, a chocolate Labrador retriever specially trained for hunting. Illman spent the last three months training the dog while Barclay underwent treatment for his injuries.

Bryant and Barclay’s story began shortly after Barclay started his recovery at the Wounded Warrior Center at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. A long-time outdoorsman, Barclay was eager to return to hunting, his favorite pastime. He adopted Bryant in August, but soon found that his injuries prevented him from properly caring for the pooch.

“I had him for about three weeks,” he said. “Due to the surgeries, I wasn’t going to able to do what I wanted to do with him, and spend as much time as I should with him, so I sent him to my dad’s house.”

In March, Barclay’s father, Army Brig. Gen. James Barclay III, former director of U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Center for Operational Analysis, brought Bryant and another pet to Illman for boarding. When Illman found out about the situation, he volunteered to help train Bryant free of charge.

“I’m thrilled to do this, and I hope the dog works out for him and his family,” Illman said. “These young men in the armed services really don’t have a choice. They’re where they’re told to go, when they’re told to go there, and no matter what your political ideals are, they’re committed to serve the armed services, and it’s important they know that when they come home, as opposed to other wars we’ve had, that they have some support.”

Bryant’s training began with basic obedience training and socialization. Illman then moved on to more hunting and outdoor-specific training such as running through deep undergrowth and proper reaction to gunfire. He specifically trained the pup to hunt both water fowl and upland birds such as quail and pheasant. Illman said Bryant took easily to the training.

“What makes him really special is that, sometimes you have a dog that’s great around people [and] becomes a great house dog. We call them ‘couch potatoes,’ Illman said. “But he also has the ability to switch that off and become a great field-trial hunting dog.”

The elder Barclay, who recently left JFCom to become commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala., said he’s grateful not only for Illman’s help, but also for everyone who reaches out to wounded servicemembers in need.

“It’s great to have Americans who support our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and he is prime example of that kind of support that is willing to give and do things for these kids,” the general said. “We’ve got great Americans out there that show their support in different ways for our kids. I think it’s wonderful, and folks like that need recognition.”

As Barclay reunited with his old friend, the two recognized each other right away and were inseparable from the moment they were reunited.

“It really means a lot to see that people here support me and the soldiers out here,” Barclay said. “Hopefully, [Bryant will] be my right-hand man.”

In addition to Bryant, Barclay received a free one-year supply of dog food and a weekend hunting trip at a resort in Montana.

With Bryant in tow, Barclay will head back to San Antonio to continue his recovery. He said he hopes to be better in time for the bird-hunting season in the fall.

“Once I get back, I’ll start working with him right away to try and create that bond you need in a hunting dog,” Barclay said.

(Army Spc. Andrew Orillion serves in the U.S. Joint Forces Command Public Affairs Office.)

Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals, groups and organizations that are helping support the troops, visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America Supports You directly connects military members to the support of the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their quest to find meaningful ways to support the military community.


Related Sites:
America Supports You

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TOP OF BATTA - U.S. Army 1st Lt. Foster Thorpe, left, and an Iraqi National Police officer stand on top of an abandoned house during a cordon and search operation in Al Batta, Iraq, June 20, 2008.U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric Hein

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In Today's News - Saturday, June 28, 2008

Quote of the Day
"We defend and we build a way of life,
not for America alone, but for all of mankind."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Al Qaeda Behind Anbar Blast That Killed 3 Marines
U.S. Army history slams post-invasion Iraq plan-report
McCain, Iraqi president say progress being made
UN Health Agency to Set Up Permanent Office in Iraqi Capital

Operation Enduring Freedom
Challenging Afghan Control (Fox News video)
Thousands Cheer as Pakistani Militants Decapitate, Shoot Afghans Accused of Spying for U.S.
Afghan, U.S. troops kill 32 Taliban in clashes

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Guantanamo's Days Numbered, Tough Choices Ahead
U.S. proposes new Mideast talks: Palestinian official
Congress erases terror label from Mandela's name
U.N. says Somali gunmen release two of its workers

Fallen Heroes
Break in the Case?
Mystery Letter Claims Responsibility for Pregnant Army Dentist's Death
DoD Identifies Marine Casualties (Al Anbar province)

Religion of Peace??
Murder Charge for Brother Whose Sister Shed Scarf

Worldwide Wackos
Iran says Gulf oil route at risk if attacked

Homegrown Moonbats
Berkeley Protesters Screaming From the Trees

Politics / Government
ELECTION HQ:Obama Tries to Close Foreign Policy Gap
Obama, McCain spar over immigration
Obama to visit Middle East, Europe this summer
Video: Packaging Barack Obama
Richardson touts Obama's energy, economic policies
McCain says spending much time on VP choice - Video
McCain, Obama court Hispanic voters
Bush praises faith-based groups for helping needy
Rice visits China earthquake zone
Lawmakers' zeal versus speculators could backfire
Not so fast, senators tell Fed, SEC on bank pact
Call for political displays rankles some Mormons
Bush calls for more penalties against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe election result delayed - Video
Zimbabwean leader's reality: Mugabe is Right

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
U.S. to pay $2.8 million to settle anthrax lawsuit
Gun group sues San Francisco, Chicago over gun bans
Long quiet, justices end their term with a growl
Supreme Court rulings won't end lawsuits
Reopening black farmers' suits could cost billions
Court Denies New Mexico Man Obscene Name Change
Mother Convicted in Toddler's 'Hog-Tying' Death Expecting Again
Fake Speed Bumps Create Optical Illusion, Driver Confusion
College Student Murder Suspect Amanda Knox Boasts In Jailhouse Diary of Fan Mail From Men - PHOTOS
Jail to Charge Inmates for Stay; Discounts Available
Ala. Police Find Car, Hunt for Missing Baby Sitter, Child

Adventures in Political Correctness
Blacks Given 'Ghetto' Names in SoCal Yearbook

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
RottenNeighbor.com Lets You Rat Out the Neighbors
Reuters News Quiz
Husband of YouTube Star "mortified" by publicity
NBC offers wide online access for Beijing Olympics

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
Gates Bids Tearful Farewell to Microsoft
Next in line
Quiz: Test your Microsoft knowledge
Commentary: Life after Bill Gates
MediaFile Blog: A primer on Bill Gates
Slideshow: Bill Gates profile
Interactive Timeline: Microsoft
Scientists: Doomsday Atom-Smasher Fears 'Ridiculous'
Anniversary of Darwin's "Origin" presentation
Canada plant to make ethanol from garbage
Citrus disease found in Louisiana: USDA
Fake virus could make safe new vaccines
Booming China splashes out on science
Activision launches Aerosmith-only "Guitar Hero"
Video: Wimbledon raises its cyber game
Transplant recipient completes Yosemite ascent

Mother Nature
Missouri Town Empties After Losing Levee Battle - PHOTOS
Midwest floodwaters wash levees, weather improves - Video
Olympic Hopeful Swimmers Flee Plains Storm - PHOTOS
University of Georgia Mascot Dies of Heart Failure
74-Year-Old Woman Mauled to Death by Two Pet Dogs
China calls for help on climate change
Greenpeace crashes coal meeting using phony front
Smoky skies threaten health in fiery California

News from My Neck of the Woods
After Being Stabbed 22 Times, New York Man's Last Words Name Alleged Killer
Vermont Police Release Surveillance Tape in Case of Missing 12-Year-Old Girl, FBI Joins Search
Oddities
Death at Georgia Theme Park (after ignoring signs, climbing two fences, and entering a restricted area...Darwinism at work)
Ancient Japanese 'Naked Sushi' Tradition Catches On in Florida
2-Year-Old Survives on Cat Food After Mom's Death
Pranksters Reveal Secret of Infamous Student Stunt
Strange and unusual
Slideshow: Pole dancing hits China
Video: Can you spare an e-smoke?
Canadians urged to don sealskin as "birthday" suit

Other News of Note
Boy, 5, Saves Little Sister From Hanging by Beads

Fox News
FOXBusiness: U.S. Stocks Post Sharp Weekly Losses
Will Smith's $150 Million Disaster
Tennis Champ Justin Gimelstob Says He Wants to Make Anna Kournikova Cry
Pop Tarts: Emmy Rossum Won't Rule Out Going Nude

Reuters
Pope launches year of St. Paul with call for unity
An unusual love story
"WALL-E" another Pixar masterpiece
"War of Gods" follows "300" path
Oscar season kicks off
"Wanted" an adrenaline rush
What's Next: Earnings at a glance
SAG's three-year contract expires
48 hours in Kaohsiung
Slideshow: Life on an Amtrak train
Video: Gates open for Glastonbury
UK funny bone tickled in tourism push
Tibet unrest dents Shangri-la tourism
About 60 arrested at Bulgaria's first gay parade
Stocks feel bear's breath, jobs data ahead - Video
European industry feels energy crunch
Global Finance: Trampling growth
Personal Finance: Sending your money abroad
Global Finance: Investment unmasked
Overseas money seen wary as Detroit sinks
Consumer spending jumps as stimulus checks land
Auto sales: bleak, but is it the bottom?
Merrill may write down $5.4 billion in Q2: Lehman
Anheuser board under scrutiny over InBev bid
Clarins family makes $3.6 bln buyout offer
U.S. M&A slumps, but strategic deals help fill void
Miley Cyrus grows up on "Breakout"
Stars pay tribute to Mandela ahead of 90th birthday - Video
Uma Thurman engaged to financier Arpad Busson
Coldplay's sales feats heat up album charts - Video
Film goes behind "Ganja Queen" travel nightmare
Video: Stars pay tribute to Mandela
Chicago ranked capital of sustainable design
Video: Chinese pearls shine on world stage
Ballack injury threatens German final hopes
Surprise package Lewis takes charge at Interlachen
Slick Nadal powers into fourth round
Swede Chopra marches two shots clear at Buick Open
Venus Williams reaches last 16 at Wimbledon

Associated Press
Chinese investor pays $2.1M to eat with Buffett
'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard weds in Ala.
Venus Williams joins sister in 4th round
Macho man is going out of fashion
Award-winning pianist Leonard Pennario dies at 83
Steven Tyler tells AP: Rehab was for meds
Credit scores hit by card limits

News Blaze
Gen. Petraeus Attends Army Reserve Brigade's Detainee Release Ceremony
Sha ab Residents Returned to Community
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
Attacks in Iraq down 80 percent from last year
Iraqi soldiers seize weapons in Sadr City
Troops offer medical care to Iraqis
Joint UK-Iraqi operation meeting security goals
Corpsmen teach medical skills to Iraqis

USJFCOM
USJFCOM commander stresses the need to improvise
Read Day 1's liveblog - Read Day 2's liveblog - Read Day 3's liveblog
ACC commander addresses dominance, relevance and readiness at Joint Warfighting Conference
Metz says IEDs being used strategically against U.S. forces
U.S. Southern Command commander stresses importance of ideas
USJFCOM deputy commander kicks off 2008 Joint Warfighting Conference

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Michigan Guard Members help Safeguard Reconstruction Efforts
Infantry Soldiers Share Bond With Iraqi Brothers in Arms
Largest Public Works Substation Opens in Baghdad
Operation Restore Peace Continues to Reconcile Former Fighters
Iraqi National Police deliver school supplies to children (Basra)
IA, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons, munitions throughout Baghdad
Iraqi Parliament President speaks at detainee release ceremony (Baghdad)
MND-B Soldiers, IAs discover two caches in west Rashid
Video Available: MND-B Soldiers release detainees

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Guard Bureau Chief Praises Response, Cooperation in Fighting Floods, Fires

IRAQ NEWS

Largest Public Works Substation Opens
Officials Identify Killed al-Qaida Leader
Coalition Forces Kill Millitant, Detain 11 Suspects

AFGHANISTAN NEWS

Civil Affairs Projects Help Rebuild District
Marines Disrupt Taliban’s Movement
Coalition Air Strike Kills Enemy Fighters

MILITARY NEWS

Army Speeds Delivery of Future Technologies
Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

USNS Mercy Provides Relief in Southeast Asia
USS Boxer Concludes Latin-American Mission

REFLECTIONS

Berlin Airlift Veterans Return for Anniversary - Special
Sixtieth Anniversary Evokes Memories of Berlin Airlift
Child of Berlin Airlift Shares Story, Memories

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU

Elmo to Help Kids Cope

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
1770 - Quakers open a school for blacks in Philadelphia.
1776 - Charleston, SC repels a British sea attack.
1778 - Battle of Monmouth, NJ; Mary Ludwig Hayes earns the name "Molly Pitcher" by bringing water to wounded American troops there.
1862 - Day 4 of the 7 Days-Battle of Savage's Station
1894 - Labor Day is established as a federal employees' holiday.
1905 - Russian sailors aboard the battleship "Potemkin" mutiny.
1914 - In Sarajevo, a Serbian Nationalist assassinates Assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, and his wife, Sophia. This event will trigger WWI.
1919 - Five years later, the Treaty of Versailles is signed, ending WW I.
1945 - Soviets establish the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity.
1946 - Enrico de Nicola becomes the first president of Italy.
1950 - North Korean forces capture Seoul, South Korea.
1965 - President Johnson authorizes the first U.S. ground combat forces in Vietnam.
1971 - The U.S. Supreme Court overturns Muhammad Ali's draft dodging conviction.
1977 - The U.S. Supreme Court allows Federal control of Watergate evidence.

Birthdays
1491 - King Henry VIII of England
1906 - Maria Goeppert Mayer, American atomic physicist, Nobel Prize winner
1946 - John "Mike" Lounge, astronaut (STS 51-I, STS 26, STS 35)

Passings
1776 - Thomas Hickey, American sgt., hanged for treason 1836 - James Madison, 4th U.S. President
1914 - Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sofia, assassinated
1954 - Red deer dies in Milwaukee Zoo at 26; oldest known deer

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Cavalli, Anthony Frank, USAF (NY); A26A shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Dudley, Charles Glendon, USAF (MT); A26A shot down, KIA, body not recovered

Wolfe, Thomas Hubert, USAF (MO); A26A shot down, KIA, body not recovered

1967
Bailey, James W., USN (MS); F4B shot down, released by DRV Februrary, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

Lawrence, William P., USN (TN); F4B shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - alive and well as of 1998

1968
Johns, Paul Frederck, USAF (IN); A1H shot down

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