Saluting Service

Lance McElhenney receives a service dog at the Center for America's Veterans.
Photo by Russ Houston

March 14, 2018

Lance McElhenney, right, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who received the Purple Heart, was presented with his new mobility service dog during a ceremony this week at MSU’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans at Nusz Hall. Making the presentation were representatives of the Shane Flynn family and the SD Gunner Fund. The late Shane Flynn formerly owned the service dog, a Great Dane also named “Flynn.” His daughter Rachel Flynn, left, wanted his service dog to go to a veteran in need of such an animal. Britnee Kinard, second from left, is president and founder of the SD Gunner Fund, an organization that assists veterans and disabled children with the financial expense of owning much needed service animals.