Reuters reports that “the United States’ first national monument to a soldier’s best friend, recognizing the sacrifices of dogs in combat, was dedicated by the U.S. military on Monday.”

“Inscribed with the words ‘Guardians of America’s Freedom,’ the nine-foot tall bronze statue at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, features four dogs and a handler.

“‘These dogs were patriots just as much as anybody else who served,’ said military dog handler John Baker of Fallon, Nevada, whose 212th Military Police Company Detachment A was known as ‘Hell on Paws.'”

A slideshow is provided here.