The late Major Steven Hutchison's brother Richard and his wife Nancy met Laia after she touched down in the states. SPCA International
We love happy endings, so when we read this heartwarming Los Angeles Times story about a soldier and the stray dog he came to love, we had to share it.
When Major Steven Hutchison was killed while serving in Iraq, he was, at 60, the oldest American casualty in either of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. His unit, who had come to love him like a father, devised a unique way to honor their fallen leader -- and it involved a puppy.
Why join the Army again?
Hutchison had enlisted in the Army in 1966, served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star before retiring in 1988. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks he wanted to return to active military duty, but his wife Kandy Rhode wouldn't hear of it.
Married three times before, Hutchinson was devastated when Rhode died from cancer in 2006. "A part of him died," Hutchison's brother Richard Hutchison told the Huffington Post.
In July 2007, at the age of 59, Hutchison "signed up for the Army's Retiree Recall program," reports the Los Angeles Times. He was sent first to Afghanistan for a year and then onto Iraq where he joined the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
Finding puppy love
Though Major Hutchison vowed he'd never fall in love again after the death of his wife, the seasoned military man fell surprisingly hard for a stray yellow puppy his unit found while leaving an Army base near Basra. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hutchison scooped the puppy into his arms and took her to his armored vehicle.
Hutchison named the puppy Laia [sic] (for Princess Leia, according to Stars and Stripes) and snuck her back to the base. Stray animals in Iraq are typically euthanized the same day they are caught, reports the Los Angeles Times, and service members are not allowed to keep any strays as pets.
But, the major "was hooked," Sgt. Andrew Hunt later emailed to Hutchison's family, according to the Los Angeles Times. The military man allowed Laia to sleep with him at night and sit in his lap while driving around to visit the unit's Iraqi counterparts.
Honoring Hutchison
On Mother's Day, May 10, 2009 -- two days before he was to go on leave and one month shy of his 61st birthday -- Major Hutchison was killed by a roadside bomb while patrolling with his team in Al Farr, Iraq, near Basra. Laia was not with him that day; he had left her behind at the base. He was buried in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 19 and is survived by his mother, brother, half brother, half sister and two adult daughters.
As a tribute to Major Hutchison, Sgt. Hunt secured approval to send Laia to the United States and worked with the U.S. Embassy in Iraq and SPCA International's Baghdad Pups to transport the lucky pooch to America and place her in a home, which costs the non-profit animal rescue group about $4,000.
Major Hutchison would be happy to know that the scrawny yellow puppy he rescued is now happily living in Michigan with the family of a special agent who worked with Hutchison's team in Iraq. Though Laia lost one of her legs to an infection, she is doing well.
Read more about this story at the Los Angeles Times Web site.
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Officers do not "enlist" or "re-enlist" they are commissioned. The distinction is one of the things that separates the Officers Corps from the Enlistedmen.
Great story though!
Officers do not "enlist" or "re-enlist" they are commissioned. The distinction is one of the things that separates the Officers Corps from the Enlistedmen.
Renee.. You Dear are an uppity B***CH! and if you are in any way related to an Officer and that officer has your understanding way's, we'll be reading about another KIA. The only question will be which side got him!
A GOOD OFFICER NEVER seperates himself or herself from the troops they command, And Dear If they aren't good officers they're soon DEAD!
SGT USMC SEMPER FI
If you re-read the story, nowhere does it say he "reenlisted", it only says that he enlisted in 1966, he could have been commisioned anytime after that.
Renee, what a snob you are. The ENLISTED men and women far more often literally give their lives for their country. Their rank isn't quite as important to them it seems, as it is to you. Nobody needs pretentions like yours.
The story says he enlisted in the sixties and went to Nam...but later on he signed up for the Armys Retiree Call. The man is a true hero in my eyes...May God Bless Him and Laia.
Renee, I salute you! As the biggest bitch yet to post on here! Who the hell do you think you are? Whoever it is, I feel sorry for ANYONE associated with a loser like you!
Officers and enlisted should be fighting side by side, but most enlisted are the ones who give their lives for us, yes even bitches like you.
May this HERO never be forgotten and may he rest in peace. One character I find very impoertant in people is how they treat animals and this man did an A1 job. I too wonder why his family didn't accept the dog he lovwed sooo much. Thanks go out too to the team members who worked hard to get this pup to the US in honor of Major Hutchison. May You Rest in Peace Sir!
First let me explain one thing, Renee is correct, I am a person that has spent time as both enlisted and then as a Warrant Officer, then as a commissioned Warrant Officer. I spent a total of 37 years active, Reserve and National Guard. I was not happy when the Army commissioned Warrant Officers, but who am I. But the Army spends a lot of time drilling into both the enlisted and Officers that there is a difference. That doesn't mean you can't work closely together, but not supposted to spend time off duty. Some of my best friends from the army are the enlisted people that cared for my helicopters, I was always their supervisor, but also their friend when needed. So give Renee a break she is correct, and her statement didn't sound to me like she thought more of herself than anyone else, and she did end the post with "Great story though" She is not a bitch so watch your mouth people. I am so sorry a comrade in arms died, but glad he did some good in life for the dog, they are truely the ones that suffer the most and don't have any idea why.
Yes Renee, Officers are commissioned. They rise and fall on the backs of the great enlisted soldiers and sailors that they are charged with. Notice that I said charged with. They really don't lead them. They are led by their senior enlisted personnel, junior officers just take the credit. So the division of officers and enlisted is that officers can do nothing and are nothing without their enlisted personnel. So if you are a successful Officer, I would suggest that you go to work tomorrow morning and and thank every last one of them. If you aren't a successful Officer, you now have a starting point.
What a bitter sweet story. It's through another's love, that our love grows, and sustains the misery that befalls our life. This man led a life of dedication. His story, and hopefully, his dog will enhance memories of him.
this story touched my soul. we are a compassnate(sic) nation to man and beast. may god be with all!!!!
Yes, what this world Definitely NEEDS is more Love all across the board especially with animals and children.
Beautiful man...and now he can be with his beloved wife. I hope that his 'puppy' will be as loved with its new family as it was with him (a precious animal), too.
i would have thought his family would have wanted and received the dog, seeing how she was their sons or brothers dog.
That was my first thought too. I would think the man's family would want the dog that HE loved so very much. I am sure under the same circumstances I would have taken the dog and cared for it throughout the remainder of it's life.
That is exactly what I was thinking Richard.Why didn't his family take the dog into their home.A beautiful story .I am so happy it had a good ending.A wonderful man and a true hero.
yes,
why did'nt the family keep the pup in honor of his brother I know I would of.
I love this story. I have 2 rescued dogs but they are from a more peaceful area than this pup. I imagine so many who worked to get her here in the United States feel certain that they did something their friend would have liked. Thanks for sharing the story.
Indeed! He is a hero, as are all our armed folks wherever they may be...
God Bless him for his service to our country and for his kind heart.
Admiral, Your comments re: this story match my own. Major Hutchison was a fine man and a great American. I will remember him every time I salute our flag or sing the Star-spangled Banner. I am glad that Laia has a good home; it is through his kindness that she survived at all. The Major's story calls to my mind all our military who put their lives on the line 24/7 to protect us and the land they love. May God bless and watch over them!