This is a very special cache that honors an American war hero, a retired veteran of the Iraq war. Jade served 9 years in the military and is credited with saving the lives of many servicemen and civilians. Jade is not the picture of what typically pops into most people's head when visualizing a retired veteran – you see, Jade is an 11 year old German Shepherd. Jade served in Iraq as a bomb sniffing canine and guarded the Green Zone in Baghdad starting in 2005. The Green Zone was a frequent target of suicide bombers and car bomb attacks. She would spend her days traveling via a SUV, and searched thousands of vehicles and packages. Not one explosive device made it past Jade and her fellow service dogs. She then continued to serve by supervising a shift of 30 teams of dogs and their handlers.
Jade, an American War Hero
After many years of service Jade retired and her handler managed to pull a few strings and enabled her to retire in style on a friend’s 220 acre farm in Fairmont, WV. Like many veterans, Jade has brought home some baggage from Iraq. She suffers from a type of PTSD, but manages her nervousness with a “security blanket” of sorts – she is rarely seen without her ball or squeeze toy in her mouth. If you are patient she may drop it for you to throw, but most of the time she simply enjoys carrying it around. She seems to be getting used to farm life and enjoys interacting with visitors.
This cache is located in Jade’s front courtyard and you are welcome to look around the farm antiques on display there. Please search for this cache during the daylight hours only…and give Jade a pat of thanks for all of us!
Sadly, we must report that Jade has passed away. Fittingly, she was found on Mother's Day (May 8, 2016), having passed peacefully, at the age of 16. Instead of a "pat of thanks" perhaps a "sincere thought of thanks" would be appropriate for this war hero.