FORT RILEY, Kan. - Sam the Army dog dreamed of the roles he could play in supporting military Families - a firefighting Dalmatian, a German shepherd military police dog or even a Labrador who helps find lost people.
Andrew Parnell, dressed in woodland camouflage with painted on whiskers, acted out Sam's dreams as part of the June 17 performance of "Sam the Army Dog" in honor of the Army's 234th birthday. Other children from Fort Riley's School Age Services took on the roles of birds, dogs, candles, Soldiers and Family members to help Sam find his dream.
Cory Robison, who played Soldier Patient No. 1, said being a part of the performance was fun but, "it took us nine days (to prepare)."
In the end, Sam and his owners went to Irwin Army Community Hospital to pass out treats to Soldiers and their Family members for the Army's birthday. There, he realized, he didn't need to be a big dog to make a difference and serve military Families.
"The moral of the story is that the Army has a job for everyone and everybody can be included, including the animals," said LaToya Mothershed, one of the SAS program assistant who helped with the play.
"The show was impressive," said Capt. Omar Branch, father of Bird No. 2 and Cordymay, a therapy dog. "It included talents of all age groups. They represented the Army as children of servicemembers well."
Although the children have been working on the play since April, much of the past two weeks was spent helping them memorize their lines, said Nora Sobering, a SAS program assistant.
"The kids that did have lines did great, and the kids that didn't have speaking parts did an excellent job with their acting," Sobering said.
After the play, the actors and attendees got to sing "Happy Birthday," twice - once along with a row of kindergartner "candles" and again later when Kansas State University's mascot, Willie the Wildcat joined the group.
A real Army dog also was part of the event. Staff Sgt. William Ristau of the 97th Military Police Battalion brought Sgt. 1st Class Hary, a real life military working dog on stage at the conclusion of the play. He explained a bit about what Hary does for a living and then the kids got a chance to ask questions.
Risau said the play went really well and Hary was curious, but relaxed during his few minutes in the limelight, and he even performed a few tricks for the crowd.
Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Brown, along with Willie the Wildcat, cut an Army birthday cake for the group to share.
"Do you know anyone who is 234 years old'" Brown asked the children in attendance, many of whom raised their hands. "You know the Army, right'"
Alison Kohler also contributed to this story.
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