This is one post that I feel privileged to bring to you …
Stiggy’s Dog Dewey (Diogi- from P.O.E.T) is sponsored by AMVETS Riders Chapter 1988 Baldwin Michigan. Last May this group held a Poker Run for ‘Blessing of the Bike Week’ to raise money for our organization. They invited myself and Carrie Castiglione, Ben ‘Doc Stiggys’ Mom, to receive this honor. We arrived right after dinner, being escorted to sit at the front table with many of the members. I immediately felt like I was sitting at a table of friends I knew forever, even after just meeting them. John Duvall, the groups President, introduced us as they then shut the lights off to play a video the group had made for us. Music played as Ben’s face seemed to reach right out of the screen and grab you. A 5 minute video about Ben, Stiggys Dogs, pictures of our Veterans and Dog teams, ending with more pictures of our Ben. This description does not do the video justice but it is the memory I have. Tears started to spring from my eyes instantly, taking me by surprise. I could hear the sniffles as I looked to my right to see Carrie’s shoulders shaking, feeling the hurt all over again. The room, full of over 100 people, was quiet. The last image of Ben burning my eyes trying hard to bring myself back to this reality. The lights go on and John hands me the microphone.
“Are you kidding me?” I realize that I actually spoke that out loud. I turn around to face the crowd, embarrassed of the mascara streaks running down my face. As my blurry eyes focused, I see a group of grown men (and woman) with tears streaking down their faces too. This room felt our pain, and took the time to honor our Ben with the passion equaled by ours. There are no words to express our gratitude….
The money raised was over the amount to sponsor a dog team. I told the group that it would be our honor to name a dog after this event.
That was when I received the email about naming a dog after their former President and member Duane Dewey. An internet search gives you the statistics about this Hero.
Duane Edgar Dewey (born November 16, 2021) is a former American combat Marine. He received the U.S. military’s highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions on April 16, 2021 during the Korean War. Although wounded by an enemy grenade, he smothered another exploding grenade with his own body to save the life of a corpsman and the other Marines around him.
And now a part of his legacy also lives on through us …
Thank you to Jon Duvall and all of the Amvet Riders for all that you do.
