The terrain was rural farmland criss-crossed with dirt roads, with tall reeds and streams on either side. The enemy had marked the spot of the IED with a large white boulder. He’s just so happy to be home now at my house. Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below. Following his treatment, Rex was given physical therapy for one year. Rex passed away at age 12, after living with Megan for only 8 months. She groped for Rex, found him and was relieved that he was alive and not too badly injured. Their first deployment was to Fallujah, Iraq, in May 2005. I have made life-long friends there. They urged her to return to camp but she insisted on forging ahead with them to the houses to finish the job, knowing that her comrades needed Rex’s bomb-sniffing skill to ensure the houses they were entering were not rigged with explosives. The Valley Cottage woman and Sgt. She attended a local Catholic school until the 7th grade, and then went to nearby Nyack High School. Dogs must have current Town of Clarkstown dog tag, which can be obtained from the Town Clerk's office. Her parents, knowing the value of college, persuaded her to go to SUNY Cortland. Even the New York Yankees took time out to honor Leavey and Sgt. Leavey was asked to do a patrol with an Army unit. Those dogs did a great job, the town made a very good decision.". Based on the true life story of a young Marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq. Megan received her honorable discharge from the Marine Corps on December 7th, 2007. With Kate Mara, Ramon Rodriguez, Tom Felton, Bradley Whitford. You and Rex were meant to find each other. The canine areas at Congers Lake Memorial Park, to be named Clarkstown's K-9 Corral, will be officially dedicated for Leavey, Rex and the town Police Department's K-9s. Thanks to the caring generosity of the Yankees and Levine, who paid for their round trip flight to California and back, Corporal Leavey’s quest had a happy two-year ending. Her Uncle Jimmy was an Army Green Beret in Vietnam. At first the Army soldiers couldn’t find her. She is now the proudest Marine Corps mom ever and her Teamster father is equally supportive. She and Patriot would sweep Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Federal buildings, Times Square, and other crowded areas. But they found themselves in the middle of an ambush. In the distance she could see a few houses and farms. Unable to find motivation at a college far away from home, she convinced her parents to let her return home. Megan is thrilled with her new career as veterinary technician. Insurgents watching from a rooftop detonated an explosive, nearly killing Leavey, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, and injuring Rex’s shoulder. Her head, neck, and knees still ached. I believe in guardian angels too. Rest in peace Rex and thank you for your service and sacrifice. He’s made friends with my other pets. The enemy used a detonator to set off the bomb, hurling Corporal Leavey and Rex backwards through the air. Former Marine Cpl. Only after months of working closely together did the Marine and her canine partner come to love and trust each other. Rex was not fond of veterinarians. Rex once they were reunited. She tried to adopt him, but the military still needed him. Her soldiers fought back, returning fire from the shelter of their Humvee. The pair served two deployments in Iraq together. On her return to California she still had one year left to serve. Video: 'Megan Leavey' features Rockland native's story, The film "Megan Leavey" features the story of Rockland's Leavey and Rex, the bomb-sniffing dog she fought to adopt when he was of no more use to the U.S. Marines. It was a challenge to keep Rex under control. Leavey worked with Rex on dozens of missions searching for explosives in Iraq from 2003 to 2006. The soldiers were to clear an area which had not been visited by our forces for a long time. Rex, the bomb-sniffing German shepherd she served with in Iraq, will have Clarkstown's dog park dedicated in their honor later this month. He is now my guardian angel…even though he already was. Leavey posted the following on her Facebook page: “I am so grateful for the last 8 months I got to spend with my partner & my best friend. Once a Marine, Always a Marine… Semper Fi.”. The insurgents targeted K-9 teams for the obvious reason that they uncovered their explosives. He was 11 years old (April 2001-December 2012). Leavey, who works as a vet technician at a New Jersey animal hospital, now has a 10-year-old chocolate Lab named Patriot, a retired New York City bomb-detecting dog. A Facebook group, Congers Dog Park Friends, already has more than 100 members. Hot shell casings flew all around. She spent much of that time recuperating and undergoing physical therapy, and just as many hours helping to teach new Marine dog handlers the ropes. The Real Life Hero Behind Megan Leavey Opens Up About How Her Canine Partner ... after which she goes home to her dog Patriot and two cats. But, her first and last love, along with Rex, will always be the United States Marine Corps. In September 2006 Cpl. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. By the time of her second deployment in Ramadi in Anbar Province in May 2006, “I felt more confident with my dog…you learn to trust your dog. Rex and Leavey: “Military working dog Rex (E168) passed away this morning. She couldn’t see anything. She kept on trying to adopt him for years. She was sworn in in August 2003. By viewing our video content, you are accepting the terms of our. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images). She said honoring the town's police dogs was "very fitting. Leavey told CBS 2’s Emily Smith back in March, took time out to honor Leavey and Sgt. “I couldn’t ask for any more, I just wanted to thank everyone.”. "I'm honored to have the dog park named after Rex and me, especially in the area that I grew up in," Leavey said recently. He was one hell of a dog, one tough ass Marine, and one very special soul.”. Rex got to swim in a pool and play with my other dogs. Megan was medevac’d to a hospital in Baghdad. Both areas have bag waste stations and a leashing pen. He got along with Leavey’s other pets, a chocolate lab named Patriot and two cats, Cally and Orange. He faced being put down if the adoption didn’t go through. Rex was sent to the military veterinarian. “Carrying 50 lbs of body army, a heavy pack, your loaded M16 rifle, ammo, 9 mm pistol and helmet only add to the difficulty of handling a big, strong dog.” Megan had her trainees practice in full gear under simulated field conditions. Stray dogs ran loose everywhere between the cattle in the fields. “I’ve taken care of him. Her duties included working with the dog to clear Yankee Stadium before games and checking deliveries coming into the stadium. “I love the Marine Corps. Im 76 vietnam vet cried my eyes out at the end of the movie.love&devotion thats what its all about. In 2019, Cpl Leavey was recognized by the National Purple Heart Honor Mission with the Genesis Legacy Medal. Training at camp is far different from the reality of war in the field. Video by Jordan Fenster/lohud, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. She enjoyed high school, making lifelong friends; however, she initially did not want to go to college. Megan today lives in Rockland County, New York, with Patriot, who is happily retired. Playing all day with dogs is not a bad job to have…and the camaraderie of my Marine buddies will be with me for the rest of my life. In 2012, Rex developed facial palsy, which prevented him from doing his bomb-sniffing tasks. She returned to civilian life, working for a private security company with a new canine partner, Patriot, trained to detect hidden explosives. The brave dog was wounded along with its handler Cpl. The insurgents were attacking with mortars, Rocket Propelled Grenades, and AK-47s. Megan Leavey was born on October 28th, 1983. He knew I was with him the whole time and I laid next to him & held him & spoke to him & he was at peace in the end. Megan Leavey in Iraq in 2006, where they spent two six-month tours together and completed more than 100 missions. "Many residents are already using the park and it has become a social meeting place for both residents and their dogs," he said. He got to roam the yard & bark at deer, play with as many toys as he wanted all day everyday, sleep in a cozy bed next to me every night, chase and eventually make friends with my 2 cats, enjoy & play in his first snowfall…and so much other great stuff that he would have never had the chance to do if he was never retired. Megan made many friends during her time in the Marines, and for her the Corps will always be a part of her family, just as her fellow Marines will be her brothers forevermore. He is one hellava dog. and Purple Heart recipient Megan Leavey and combat dog Sgt. Unbeknownst to the two of them, insurgents had been watching from a nearby rooftop. Rex had a “very strong personality. Corporal Leavey’s family has a proud heritage of service for their country. “I hadn’t seen him in four years before this. She was discharged a week later and returned to Ramadi. Located on Congers Lake Memorial Park's south side near the tennis courts off Gilchrist Road. Some of her favorite activities during her high school years included cheerleading and softball. Rex passed away at age 12, after living with Megan for only 8 months. It is not obvious where they are hidden or which object they encounter is deadly, due to all the rubble along the roads. Sen. Charles Schumer intervened, and ultimately Rex was allowed to live with Leavey. "I hope people will be able to enjoy it.". Residents are welcome to attend the dedication ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept 21. At first, she was not very confident, as she had no experience in real warfare. It is a rugged country. She did not want to worry her parents and at first kept her enlistment a secret, which was short-lived once her mother found the Marine Corps pamphlets in her room. On the Megan Leavey set in South Carolina and Spain, the dogs were treated like Elizabeth Taylor: They weren't summoned to set until every light was lit. My dog, Fin, was born on December 22, 2012 and when he looks at me, I believe he was sent to me because I needed him and he needed me. She grew up in Valley Cottage, in Rockland County, New York. Leavey, who works as a vet technician at a New Jersey animal hospital, now has a 10-year-old chocolate Lab named Patriot, a retired New York City bomb-detecting dog… Megan Leavey, the Marine corporal whose battle to keep her canine partner brought her national acclaim, will soon have a tribute in her hometown. Rex died in 2012. The brave dog was wounded along with its handler Cpl. Rex then got to live out the remainder of his life at Leavey’s home in Rockland County. Megan J. Leavey went to work for MSA Security, a private company that hired her as the handler of a bomb dog named Patriot. Megan is thrilled with her new career as veterinary technician. All Design & Content © National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. So happy you were reunited if only for a short time. But, her first and last love, along with Rex, will always be the United States Marine Corps. On Dec. 22, the following was posted on a Facebook page for the book written about Sgt. The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is dedicated to paying tribute to our nation's combat wounded through special outreach and educational programming. The terrorist attack on The World Trade Center September 11, 2001 motivated her to volunteer to enlist. When she came to her first thought was for Rex. Leavey and Rex convalesced together until Leavey’s military commitment ended in 2008. Corporal Megan Leavey is shown after landing at JFK with her German shepherd Rex, after being reunited thanks to the efforts of Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, his wife Mindy Levine, and New York Senator Charles Schumer. Area for large dogs (over 25 pounds) measures 414 linear feet and includes a dog tunnel, weave posts, A-frame ramp and bench. CLOSEUP: Real-life Megan Leavey talks about the Marines and Sgt. Megan today lives in Rockland County, New York, with Patriot, who is happily retired. She later fought military red tape to keep him after their tour of duty ended. Other soldiers rushed to clear out the enemy firing from nearby rooftops.
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