Today, on National K9 Veterans Day, we want to take a moment to honor the unbreakable bond between military working dogs and their handlers—warriors who serve side by side in the most dangerous conditions, protecting and saving lives.
During a routine perimeter check in the desert of Afghanistan, Isky found a roadside bomb. He had come to a complete stop, sitting near the explosive device, patiently waiting for orders from his best friend, Army Sgt. Wess Brown. The IED – buried two feet deep – was a 120-pound bomb. Isky, a German shepherd military working dog, had just saved countless lives by detecting it. This was his one of over 140 finds (IED, weapons and munitions cache).
On an other deployment... “We were on a combat mission, one of many,” Brown said. “To avoid an ambush we had to get into the vehicles fairly quickly. While Isky was running up the stairs, I had a hold of him, but he fell off the side and broke his leg in six different spots.” The leg had to be amputated.
“Once I knew he got injured and knew what was happening, as soon as his amputation was scheduled and his future with the Army was done,” Brown put in the paperwork to adopt him, he said.
For his service, he was honored on Capitol Hill – along with three other dogs – with the first-ever K-9 Medal of Courage. It is the nation’s highest honor for military dogs, acknowledging their extraordinary valor and service, awarded by the American Humane Association.In May 2014, Isky’s military career came to an end.
Wess Brown joined the Flags of Valor family as a craftsman back in 2017-18, bringing his dedication, skill, and spirit to our workshop. But Wess was never alone—by his side was his loyal service dog, Isky. "Isky and Wess remained inseparable, continuing their journey together at Flags of Valor, where they became part of our family. We are a better company for having known Wess and Isky, and their presence left a lasting impact on all of us."- Brian Steorts (Founder/CEO)
Their story is a testament to the bravery of military working dogs and their handlers—the sacrifice, courage, and loyalty that define these partnerships.
The Mission to Support Retired K9s
Through our close friends and fellow patriots, (Sean, Greg and Emily) we’ve had the honor of getting to know Marshall Mirarchi—a retired United States Secret Service K9 Handler—and his wife, Lisa. Their passion for supporting retired working dogs led them to establish K9 Hurricane’s Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing veterinary care for retired working dogs across the country.
Paws of Honor, a leading nonprofit that ensures retired military and law enforcement K9s receive the medical care they need, has been strengthened by K9 Hurricane’s Heroes' sponsorship of K9s in their Veterinary Care Program. Together, these organizations are ensuring that heroes like Isky and so many others receive the care they deserve after their service ends.
K9 Hurricane: A Legacy That Lives On
One of the most recognized heroes to benefit from this mission was K9 Hurricane, a U.S. Secret Service apprehension dog who made history in 2014 when he neutralized an intruder on the White House lawn while the President and First Family were inside. His actions earned him the United States Secret Service Award for Merit and the Department of Homeland Security Award for Valor.
Even after an early retirement due to his heroic injuries, his mission continued. K9 Hurricane’s Heroes was created in his name, and since 2019, the nonprofit has helped over 150 retired working dogs nationwide with medical expenses. With no paid employees, this all-volunteer organization is close to reaching its goal of $1 million in donations raised to support these incredible K9 veterans.
K9 Hurricane may have been laid to rest on February 12, 2025, but his legacy lives on through every K9 they help.
On this National K9 Veterans Day, we encourage you to take a moment to honor all military and law enforcement K9s who have served our nation. Whether by sharing their stories, supporting organizations like K9 Hurricane’s Heroes and Paws of Honor, or simply remembering their sacrifices, we can all play a part in ensuring these warriors receive the respect and care they deserve.
To learn more about Isky, K9 Hurricane’s Heroes and Paws of Honor visit:
Thank you for standing with us as we honor these heroes.
Flags of Valor
Supporting Those Who Serve, Always.
