{"id":56789,"date":"2014-12-02T11:43:40","date_gmt":"2014-12-02T16:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/valorguardians.com\/blog\/?p=56789"},"modified":"2014-12-02T11:43:40","modified_gmt":"2014-12-02T16:43:40","slug":"mama-lucca-purple-heart-hero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/?p=56789","title":{"rendered":"Mama Lucca; Purple Heart hero"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lucca\"<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n

Andy11M and John Robert Mallernee sent us links to the story<\/a> of Momma Lucca;<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our first week in our first big mission \u2026 Lucca went up and indicated there was an explosive there and that was the first time she saved my life,\u201d Willingham said. \u201cIt was a really validating moment from all the hard work and training we put in together, to the moment she actually found an IED on an operation, so it was a great, great day.”<\/p>\n

While active in the Marine Corps, Lucca was identified as a piece of equipment would be, with the ID designation K458. But to the troops she protected, she was known as \u201cMama Lucca.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is a Marine,\u201d Willingham said. \u201cShe’s treated just like a Marine. When she got injured, she was medevac\u2019d just like a Marine. They get top notch veterinary treatment — their medical care, their health care, their dental care — it’s top notch. We treat these dogs outstanding, their part of our team, and Lucca probably knows more about me than anybody else, except my wife.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n