LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Department of Defense Military Working Dog Veterinary Service Hospital was officially named the Holland Working Dog Veterinary Hospital in memory of Army Lt. Col. Daniel Holland during a ceremony May 28.
The one of a kind, $15 million Lackland facility was dedicated to the service and memory of Colonel Holland, an Army veterinarian who was killed in Iraq May 18, 2006. Colonel Holland was the first Army veterinarian to be killed in action since the Vietnam War.
"Daniel was a Soldier and a warrior leader who exemplified the very best this nation had to offer," Maj. Gen. Russell Czerw, commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School and Fort Sam Houston, told the dedication audience.
Sheryl Holland, Colonel Holland's widow, said in her remarks, "Daniel didn't just love the Army, he loved every aspect of the Armed Forces."
Following the ceremony, the Holland family donated 13 units of blood at the Lackland Blood Donor Center. According to Tracy Parmer, public affairs specialist for the Armed Services Blood Program, Colonel Holland was a regular blood donor and the family wanted to donate blood in his honor.
Colonel Holland served in many veterinary assignments in the U.S. and abroad, and commanded the Army's South Plains Veterinary command at Fort Hood, Texas.
Army veterinarians are responsible for the medical evaluations of military working dogs, and support the 341st Training Squadron, the DoD's home of the military working dog program.
"I'm sure he's watching us today and thinking 'What a wonderful thing that they remembered me this way,'" said Robert Holland, an older brother of the honoree. "I looked at him with admiration because he was so good with animals all the time."
The hospital opened Oct. 21, 2008, and supports more than 800 dogs undergoing detection and sentry training at Lackland, replacing a facility that was built in 1968. Among the hospital's capabilities are ultrasound, CT scan technology, rehabilitation and physical therapy sections.
"No matter how much money they put into the electronic sniffing machine, it just hasn't worked," said Lt. Col. Robert Vogelsang about the facility for the working dogs. "There just isn't anything more efficient, more economical than a dog."
David Holland, another older brother of Colonel Holland, echoed brother Robert's comments.
"He'd (Colonel Holland) just be thrilled with the technology and the things that are here today to serve the injured dogs from all over the world," David Holland said. "There might be a shade of embarrassment, but he'd be honored."