War Dog Memorial Set for 2019 Unveiling

A statue commemorating military dogs and their handlers is scheduled to be unveiled around Memorial Day weekend next year at the State of Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody.
The War and Service Dog Memorial statue was inspired by Powell resident and Iraqi war veteran Matt Bessler and his late dog, Mike, that was killed by a bicyclist in October 2015 after the two were discharged.
The Cody Enterprise reports that the statue was originally set to be unveiled in June 2017 but was delayed for various reasons. Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park Foundation member Warren Cheney says the exact day for the unveiling will the city’s decision because it will be on city property.
The sculptor for the statue is Cody resident John Phelps, who is the father of Chance Phelps, a Dubois native and Marine who died while serving in Iraq. Phelps’ story of heroism received national attention, inspiring the movie ‘Taking Chance.’
Only three other statues like the future Cody monument currently exist in the United States.