Lest we forget our furry wartime veteran friends...

Animals in wartime have been honored over the years and I think it's so decent and civilized that this is done. These animals don't know they are in harm's way but still, even in innocence, perform heroics and meritorious actions.

I am a cat person, and one story that still makes me choke up a little is that of the Simon the Able Seacat.

He was adopted by the crew and during an incident in China which left 17 men dead, including the captain, Simon received a serious shrapnel injury. The crew rushed him to medical and despite the odds being against him, he recovered and quickly went back to defending the rations from rodents which the ship was anchored in hostile water undergoing repairs. He passed away after returning to England due to viral complications but was awarded the Dickin Medal and buried with full naval honors.

Here's his tombstone (tear jerker alert):



I love animals...