Home Front Friday: Celebrate Your Dog…Tags!

Home Front Friday is a regular series that highlights the can do spirit on the Home Front during World War II and illustrates how that spirit is still alive today

For nearly 20,000 years people have been living with, befriending, supporting, and needing domesticated dogs—they are man’s best friend, after all. Celebrate your furry loved one this Wednesday, August 26^th, as it is National Dog Day!

During WWII, dogs served many purposes abroad, in the field, and on military bases. Service dogs could sniff out bombs or mines, chase after Axis forces, carry messages, or even to just provide a bit of a morale boost on base. At home, after the war, many soldiers adopted retired service dogs, puppies, adults, and elderly dogs. Focus On: Loyal Forces is the museum’s online exhibit featuring information about service animals during the war.

One American soldier actually rescued stray dogs that he found while he was serving in Germany. Even back then, adopting a little furry friend was a respected and appreciated practice. Listen to the oral history here.

Rightfully so, the term “dog tag” literally comes from a dog’s tag. Upon receiving your tickets to the museum, you will also get a “digital dog tag” that will take you through the lives and experiences of real Americans who lived during World War II. More information about the digital dog tags can be found here!

Posted by Catherine Perrone, Education Intern and Lauren Handley, Assistant Director of Education for Public Programs at The National WWII Museum.