Died \u2013 9\/7\/22
\nHandler – Brad O\u2019Keefe<\/p>\n
Earl the military bomb-sniffing dog laid to rest in Palmyra<\/p>\n
Earl was a bomb-sniffing dog who helped find enemy explosive devices in Afghanistan, protecting our troops. The 15-year-old Labrador had a final procession down Route 31 in the Village of Palmyra Wednesday, before being put to rest. Earl was alongside his Marine Corps owner Brad O\u2019Keefe overseas before the two were reunited 9 years ago. The dog survived several IED explosions in Afghanistan and later helped Brad with that all-important transition from active duty to civilian life. Their bond was extremely strong: the bond between Marine and man\u2019s best friend. Brad\u2019s wife, Kara, says having Earl in the house allowed Brad to move forward in life, sensing his anxiety and sadness\u2013 serving as a sort of therapeutic presence. \u201cHe did two tours in Afghanistan,\u201d she said. This little pooch survived several IED explosions and save so many lives, including Brad\u2019s, and then he served in the Rhode Island State Police Department, and has been with us ever since.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s always just been real easy going,\u201d Brad said. \u201cNo matter what\u2019s going on I know I can count on him to be there.\u201dSamantha Wilson with the Wayne County Veteran Service Agency helped Brad after service. She spoke on the importance of dogs downrange. \u201cAs a veteran myself, we can\u2019t complete the mission without those added resources like Earl,\u201d said Wilson.Brad says even with years in the Corps under his belt, Wednesday was one of his toughest days. \u201cIt was always nice being able to come home and just know that my buddy who had my back in Afghanistan is still here with me,\u201d he said.Earl was put to rest just after 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at home in Brad\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Died \u2013 9\/7\/22 Handler – Brad O\u2019Keefe Earl the military bomb-sniffing dog laid to rest in Palmyra Earl was a bomb-sniffing dog who helped find enemy explosive devices in Afghanistan, protecting our troops. The 15-year-old Labrador had a final procession down Route 31 in the Village of Palmyra Wednesday, before being put to rest. Earl …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[64],"class_list":["post-12861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-k9memorial","tag-ny"],"yoast_head":"\n