At 90, you'd think that I might be looking back -- thinking about my own days as a veteran after being freed from a Nazi POW camp, growing my career and raising my family, and of the honors I've received. And of course, all this does mean a lot to me. But the truth is I'm looking forward.

We want to see hundreds more dogs properly trained to treat the veterans still returning from the Middle East. We want each and every single one of our troops to have a shot at living a happy and fulfilling life back home.

This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to those who have fought, and fallen, for their country. We also pay tribute to those still fighting. For a lucky few, their lives will be changed by the constant companion, friend, and therapist that a service dog is for a veteran returning from war.

Having seen the profound impact these dogs make on the lives of men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country, I can tell you that it's all worth it -- and then some. And, by the way, the dogs love it too.