 The U.S. military has used working dogs since the Revolutionary War, with numbers peaking at over 10,000 deployed during World War II to the present-day 2,000-plus active around the world. March 13th is K-9 Veterans Day, and the Rotomilitary Working Dog Team celebrated with a demonstration for the youngest generation of dog lovers. I saw the dogs jumping really high and doing things that I never taught my dog to do before. Military members who serve alongside the K-9s say the day honors not only those invaluable skills, but also the dog's selfless contributions to our military. The fall in a K-9 has given as much or more than the handlers do on a daily basis. It's just a wonderful day to remember what K-9s do and why they are best friends. From Naval Station Rota, I'm Petty Officer Valerie Carson.