Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Let’s cheer the winners

Friday, Oct. 30, 1998 | 11:53 a.m.

THE VETERANS IN POLITICS did it again! That tiny group has a political advertisement in the recent 1998 election guide put out by the Sun. The ad tells readers that they are "a voice for the Vietnam veteran who came home to be spat upon. ..." Then they went ahead and failed to endorse Terry Care for state Senate District 7. Care, a bright and competent attorney who after the war came to Las Vegas as a newsman, has more actual combat experience than most, if not all, members of the VIP selection committee. A graduate of Ranger School, he was a reconnaissance leader wounded twice in combat, decorated and spent several months in military hospitals. There's no doubt about Care's local community activities and his abilities, but somehow the VIP chose his opponent, Jack Close, whose military time was spent at home in the reserves during the Vietnam War. So much for the selections made in the name of the "Vietnam veteran who came home to be spat upon. ... "

Even the Veterans in Politics organization can't be all wrong because it did endorse Robert "Bobby G" Gronauer for Las Vegas constable. "Bobby G" also came back to Las Vegas after more than a year in ground combat as a Marine Fire Team Leader in Vietnam. He also caught some hot metal and was decorated for his valor in combat. Since then, Metro Sgt. Gronauer has become an exceptional example for the young people in his district. ... Tonight, at the Orleans hotel-casino, Dr. Donald Romeo will be honored in the ring before the feature bouts of Javier Valadez vs. Chris Linson and Pedro Ortega vs. Floyd Weaver, both title fights. There will be six great fights and the honoring of a great Nevadan. Doc Romeo was the nation's most respected ring physician for 30 years, 1961-91. This included almost 8,000 professional fights and at least 4,000 amateur bouts. Despite this busy schedule, he also took care of hundreds of local patients and helped high school athletic programs. Several former world champs will be present to honor Doc tonight. ...

The Nevada Society of Italian-American Lawyers and Agustus Society has continued their popular scholarship programs. This year, they honored Reno Judge Deborah A. Agosti with the prestigious Justinian Award. The judge will soon become Justice Agosti on the Nevada Supreme Court. The talented and popular jurist ran unopposed for this position on the high court. Las Vegan Chuck Lenzie was named Italian-American of the Year at the scholarship fund-raising dinner. There couldn't be a better selection for this honor. ...

Who would you pick as local athlete of the year? My selection would have to be Breston, a member of the Las Vegas Metro Police K-9 Detail. Watching Breston, a Belgian Malinois, win the agility competition during the eighth annual K-9 Trials for four Western states was a thrill. Later, Breston and his handler, Officer Steve Junge won the Top Dog honors followed close behind by Danny, a German shepherd, and his handler, Officer Frank Sorrentino. Matjo, a German shepherd, handled by Officer Eric Kerns also pushed Breston in the agility competition and came in second. Metro Officer Tom Moore, who handles Zack and Mars, both black Labs, took top honors in explosive detection. Metro Sgt. Rory Tuggle and his German shepherd, Cigan, continued their winning ways as both man and dog appear to know exactly what each other is thinking. They won first-place awards in the building search, area search and tactical obedience competitions. More than 10 years have passed since I spent a night with Sgt. Tuggle when he was heading up the gang detail. His intensity and professionalism continues to be reflected in his work with Cigan. Yeah, Metro won the four-state competition, which also included dogs and handlers from military and federal agencies. How do the dogs view their role in police work? An unknown author attempts to tell us when writing:

Trust in me, my friend, for I am your comrade.

I will protect you with my last breath.

When all others have left you

And the loneliness of the night closes in,

I will be at your side.

Together we will conquer all obstacles,

And search out those who may wish harm to others.

All I ask of you is compassion,

The caring touch of your hands.

It is for you that I will unselfishly give my life

And spend my nights unrested.

Although our days together

May be marked by the passing of the seasons

Know that each day at your side is my reward.

My days are measured by

The coming and going of your footsteps.

I anticipate them at every opening of the door.

You are the voice of caring when I am ill.

The voice of authority when I've done wrong.

Do not chastise me unduly

For I am your right arm,

The sword at your side.

I attempt to do only what you bid of me.

I seek only to please you and remain in your favor.

Together you and I shall experience

A bond only others like us will understand

When outsiders see us together

Their envy will be measured by their disdain.

I will quietly listen to you

And pass no judgment,

Nor will your spoken words be repeated

I will remain ever silent,

Ever vigilant, ever loyal.

And when our time together is done

And you move on in the world

Remember me with kind thoughts and tales,

For a time we were unbeatable,

Nothing passed among us undetected.

If we should meet again on another street

I will gladly take up your fight,

I am a Police Working Dog and together

We are guardians of the night.

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