Editor’s note: The following was received from Dwight Foster Public Library.

On Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. the US Veterans Project Library will welcome author Robin Hutton to a presentation at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson. Hutton shared the story of Korean War hero, “Sgt. Reckless: America’s War Horse” with us last December. Now she returns to share the stories of the many other animals that assisted the US and our allies in World War II.

Millions rallied to the cause of freedom against Nazism and the menace of Imperial Japan. But did you know that some of those heroes had fur, or feathers? War animals guarded American coasts against submarine attack, dug out Londoners trapped in bomb wreckage, and carried vital messages under heavy fire on Pacific islands. They kept up morale, rushed machine gun nests, and even sacrificed themselves picking up live grenades.

This book tells the heart-warming stories of the dogs, horses, mules, pigeons—and even one cat—who did their bit for the war effort. American and British families volunteered beloved family pets and farm dogs when rationing made it difficult to feed them; President Roosevelt bought honorary commissions in the reserves for lapdogs and other pets not suitable for military duties to “exempt” them from war service and raise money to defeat Hitler and Tojo. Many of these gallant animals are recipients of the prestigious PDSA Dickin Medal, the “Animals’ Victoria Cross.”

This presentation will be in-person in the FCCU Community Room on the first floor of the Library. Robin Hutton will join us virtually through Zoom. It will also be possible to attend remotely on Zoom by clicking the link you find on this web page: fortlibrary.org/war-animals/ Contact Amy Lutzke at (920) 563-7790 for additional information or to inquire about accessibility to this program.