Please plan to join us for Wisconsin’s 9th Annual K9 Veterans Day ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, at the American Legion Banquet Center in Fort Atkinson!
If you love working K9s and if you want to honor them and their handlers, we encourage you to join us for this special event!
Link to PDF of invitation to the 2023 K9 Veterans Day Program
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 
This year’s program will be exciting. Our featured speaker is SGM Viridiana Lavalle, Office of the Provost Marshal General, U.S. Army Military Working Dog Program Manager, and an experienced veteran K9 handler.
Link to 3-minute video — Why I Serve: Provost Marshal Sergeant Major Lavalle
PROGRAM
We will honor the K9 handlers and their K9 partners who appeared on Wisconsin’s Assembly when March 13 was officially proclaimed K9 Veterans Day in 2015.
The recipient of the inaugural Terry Beck Protective Services scholarship will be recognized as he continues to pursue his degree in fire protection.
Also honored will be fallen K9s from the past year and retiring working K9s. All K9 handlers—active and retired—in attendance will be recognized. All K9s in attendance will also receive a special treat.
WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY
Prior to the event at the American Legion location, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the K9 Veterans Memorial in Fort Atkinson’s McCoy Park at 12:30 p.m. Immediately following that, participants will gather at the American Legion.
McCoy Park is located at 1100 Old Madison Road (across from Salamone’s Italian Pizzeria, 1245 Madison Avenue) and the American Legion Banquet Center is located at 201 S. Water Street East, both in Fort Atkinson, WI.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
A block of 15 rooms has been reserved at Fort Atkinson’s Holiday Inn Express for the nights of March 10th, 11th, and 12th. Special rates apply and there will be an additional charge for guests with canines.
Link to Holiday Inn Express room block information
Link to Jan. 27, 2023 article on FortAtkinsonOnline.com
Link to Mar. 8, 2023 article on FortAtkinsonOnline.com
Link to more about the K9 Veterans Memorial