“It’s The Best Job In The World, Working With A Dog”
Deputy Johnny Lemen and his K9 partner Yari were honored along with several other first responders Saturday at VFW Post 1031 in Springfield. The annual ceremony is conducted in celebration of the national Loyalty Day observance, and pays tribute to the men and women who pledge their devotion to the community by protecting our homes, lives, and freedom.
“One cannot be recognized without the other, they are a team,” said Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly of Lemen and Yari in his recommendation that Lemen be selected for the post’s Loyalty Day Awards.
Jerry Keck, Past Commander of Post 1031, said the VFW has been conducting Loyalty Day ceremonies since the 1950s, using the observance to recognize outstanding Clark County first responders. Keck said the post submits letters to several agencies in the county, asking their respective leaders to recommend an employee deserving of the Loyalty Day award.
“They are nominated by their peers,” said Keck of Saturday’s honorees.
Along with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the post also reached out to the local Ohio State Highway Patrol, Springfield Police Department, 178th Air National Guard, Springfield Fire and Rescue, and the 37th Army Guard.
Keck said that his post, which is in its 93rd year of operation, is the oldest veterans’ organization in Clark County. He explained that the Loyalty Day observance was created in response to Russia’s May Day celebrations in the 1950s. Loyalty Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1950, after a group of 10,000 VFW members rallied in New York City in an attempt to inspire patriotism. The first official observances began in late April of 1950 and peaked on May 1 when tens of thousands of rallies and celebrations were held across the country. Congress officially declared May 1 as Loyalty Day in 1958 “to foster loyalty and love for the country.”
Post 1031 Commander Paul Gray said Loyalty Day is “a day worth recognizing,” noting that the observance is meant to “reiterate American principles of freedom and democracy.”
“Keep in mind that these are the most honorable and courageous Americans,” Gray said of Saturday’s honorees, as well as all servicemen and community first responders. “We’re distinguishing all service members who sacrifice so much to protect us.”
As Lemen and Yari accepted their award, Keck noted that the occasion was a first for the post, as they have never honored a canine officer in their decades of Loyalty Day presentations.
“It’s definitely an honor to be awarded this,” Lemen said, and explained that he wouldn’t be capable of an outstanding job performance without the assistance of his co-workers.
“It’s the best job in the world, working with a dog,” Lemen said.
In his recommendation, Sheriff Kelly listed Lemen’s lengthy accomplishments in his 15 years with the department. He also noted that after partnering with K9 Yari, Lemen was able to apprehend a murder suspect and numerous bank robbery suspects. Yari is also responsible for tracking many suspects and restraining them for arrest.
Kelly said it is significant to note that Lemen and Yari are responsible for taking $3 million in drug proceeds off the streets, including a traffic stop on Interstate 70, where Yari alerted to $750,000 inside the vehicle.
“In 2015, they took 30 guns off the street, recovered one stolen vehicle, pounds of marijuana, hundreds of pills, large amounts of heroin, cocaine, crack, and meth,” Kelly said. “So far in 2016 through April, they have made 65 arrests, recovered ten stolen cars, confiscated eight guns, and recovered over $27,000 in cash from the streets of Clark County.”
Also honored in Saturday’s ceremony were: Trooper John D. McLeod of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Sergeant Jeffrey L. Flores from the Springfield Police Department, Bryon Betsinger of Springfield Fire and Rescue, Staff Sergeant Dylan M. Crouse of the 178th Air Guard, and Sergeant First Class Jeremy Hamiel of the 37th Army Guard.
