Always Improving

“Prince, the three and a half year old Belgian Shepherd dog [which] nine-year-old Jimmy Evans of this town sent to Dogs for Defense, Inc., as part of his war contribution, has been killed on active duty.

Jimmy received notification from the Dog Training Center in California, and the dog is believed to have been killed somewhere in the Pacific area.

As he could not go to war himself, the boy, owner of Prince, loaned the dog to the war service a year ago last April and he has received word from time to time of the animal’s progress in training. This training was first received after the dog was sent to Newton, Mass., and training in sentinel duty followed at Fort Royal, Va.”

When The Bridgton News broke the sad story the following day, Prince’s obituary ran on the front page.

“Prince, Only Local War Dog, Dies in Action

Jimmy Evans, who about a year and a half ago donated his beloved dog, Prince, to the government, for service in the Army, has just been notified that he has died in the line of duty. Jimmy has received the following Certificate from the War Dog reception and Training Center in San Carlos, California.

War Dog Certificate of Death, September 8, 1944

This is to certify that War Dog, Prince, Brand Number A630, donated by J.M. Evans, 116 Main St., Bridgton, Maine died this date in line of duty.

[Signed] George A. Williams, Captain V.C.”

In all, over 20,000 dogs were employed by the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps during the Second World War. Employed as sentries, messengers, bomb sniffers, and rescuers, some of these dogs earned Stars for Valor, and the most famous one, Chips, became the only non-human recipient of the Purple Heart in American history. Many of them returned home alive, and for the fallen I am told there is a U.S. War Dog cemetery in Guam, though I don’t know if Prince is interred there.

I am told he was memorialized here at home, for there was once a small plaque set in the ground beside our Soldiers Monument commemorating him. The Bridgton News of April 20, 1945, mentions, as part of an article on the installation of the old Honor Roll, which formerly stood beside the Magic Lantern theater on Main Street, how “a plaque will also be attached to the Roll, or placed on the plot, for Prince, the German Shepherd donated by Jimmy Evans, who died in the line of duty while attached to ‘Dogs for Defense.’” A neighbor once told me that they remembered this plaque, but sadly it is not there today and no one I have talked to, including descendants of the Evans family, can tell me what it looked like or when it disappeared. If any reader remembers this plaque, please write in to The News and share what you can. I think it would be a fine thing to restore one day, perhaps with the aid of the local American Legion chapter. But this time around, given the little marker didn’t hold up to the passage of time, I’m picturing something a bit bigger; what do you think of a bronze statue, true to life of a German Shepherd sitting steadfast at its watch, looking up at the monument in Post Office Square? Faithful to duty, to the last.

Till next time!

The mission of the Bridgton Historical Society is to collect, preserve, interpret, and share the history and traditions of Bridgton and the surrounding communities, to advocate for preservation, and to consult on matters which affect our town’s identity and sense of place. We are 501(c)3 not-forprofit organization. Visit us at https://www.bridgtonhistory.org

Cruise for veterans, active duty members

NAPLES — Don’t miss the boat this Memorial Day!

The 7th Annual Memorial Day Free Cruise for veterans and active duty military on the Songo River Queen II takes place on Monday, May 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine.

The Naples Lions Club invites you and your family for a Memorial Day cruise on the Songo River Queen II to honor and pay tribute for your time served in the United States military. Veterans or active duty service men or women and their immediate family board for free. Please inquire, in advance, if additional guests are desired.

Please bring an ID or documentation to show active or prior military involvement. Boarding begins one hour before departure. Complimentary snacks will be served. A snack bar and cash cocktail bar are also available on board.

Advance reservations are highly recommended. Secure your seat(s) as follows:

• Search on the web for “Naples Maine Lions Club” and click on Vet Cruise tab.

• In person or call the Naples Public Library (207-6936841)

• In person or call the Naples American Legion Post #155 (207-693-6285)

• For more information or to make a reservation call: Rolanda Leary at 207-627-7117 or Dave Gerrish, event coordinator, at 207-693-6854 or e-mail: atozdave@yahoo. com.

Bridgton News P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 tel. 207-647-2851 | fax 207-647-5001