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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 5, 2011

Marine dog handler just doing job, mother says

By Mike Joseph 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

The necklace Kathy Rusk wears every day encases two photos, both bearing the images of her son and his military working dog, one on each side. The small pictures, framed in silver, lie next to her heart.

She gently cradled the necklace in her hand throughout most of the July 29 memorial ceremony honoring the six military working dog handlers who were killed in combat operations between June 16, 2010 and Jan. 12, 2011.

One was her son.

"The ceremony made us very proud, even more proud of what he did for our country," Rusk said about her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Colton Rusk, a MWD handler who died in a firefight Dec. 6, 2010, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, at the age of 20.

"Colton would have said, 'You don't need to do the ceremony,' because he wouldn't have liked all the attention. He was doing his job," she said.

Her husband, Darrell, agreed. "He didn't like being in the limelight but he would have been honored because the ceremony honored all the handlers. He would have liked that they were all together."

Kathy Rusk also wears another tribute to her son - a black bracelet. It has Colton's name printed in white block letters and adorns her left wrist.

Her husband also honors Colton with a camouflage baseball hat, its embroidered words telling Colton's story. A recent tattoo on his left forearm is now a permanent tribute to his son.

"He died for me; I live for him," his father said.

And Colton is always in their thoughts. Eli, Colton's military working dog, and companion when he was killed in Afghanistan, now lives with the family in their South Texas home.

Since adopting Eli, who was retired from service earlier this year, the playful and loving black Labrador retriever helps fill the void in their son's absence.

"It's wonderful," Kathy said about having Eli, who never leaves their sight. Eli sat quietly on the floor during the ceremony. He wore a star-spangled red, white and blue leash harness, its embroidered words also telling Colton's story.

"We feel like we've got a piece of Colton," Kathy said about Eli. "When you're having one of your bad days, when you miss him so much, you've got Eli to give you kisses or to hold.

"He comforts us because we know Colton loved him so much. We show him as much love as we showed Colton, and he gives us that love back. They did a lot of good over there (in Afghanistan), and saved a lot of lives," she added.

Even though the ceremony tugged strongly on their emotions, Darrell said it was a good day. It was a time spent reflecting on their son's ultimate sacrifice.

"I know if he was here, he'd do it all over again without hesitation," said Kathy.

"He died doing what he loved to do. I know he'd do it all over again," said Darrell.