Registration for the inaugural "Stuka" Day - May 18th, 2024

Hosted free of charge by Afterglow Kennels, LLC at Memorial Park adjacent to The National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio from noon to 4:00 pm.

 

Note: This event is considered an outdoor "non-supported" type event in Memorial Park adjacent to The National Museum of the US Air Force.  This event is hosted by Afterglow Kennels, LLC and NOT the The National Museum of the US Air Force. The event is being held on public park property.

Download Rules and Regulations for Attendees

Stuka was the "mascot" of the crew of the Belle and was purchased by Captain James Verinis, the Memphis Belle co-pilot, from a London pet shop. Capt. Verinis gave the name of "Stuka" to this frisky little Scottish Terrier girl puppy whose best idea for creating terror was to chew up her master’s socks on the floor of his barracks bedroom at Bassingbourn.

This period was a heyday for Scottish Terriers' popularity fueled by Stuka and President Roosevelt's Scottie, "Fala".

The Memphis Belle is a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress used during the Second World War. It was one of the first United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-17 bombers to complete 25 combat missions, after which the aircrew returned with the bomber to the United States to sell war bonds. In May 2018, it was unveiled at The National Museum of the US Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the public after a full restoration. It is on permanent display inside the museum.

Stuka Day 2024 coincides with National Armed Forces Day and provides Scottie owners an excellent opportunity to meet together and share with the public their love for the breed and what makes them special. The family of Capt. James Verinis is providing some unique family pictures in their collection and anecdotes passed down to them. 

 

They are also generously sending a limited number copies from their personal collection of the now out-of-print children's coloring book, "Stuka! The Mascot of the Memphis Belle" written and illustrated by Capt. Verinis' son, James Jr. in support of the event! Thank you Verinis Family!

IMPORTANT: All Attendees bringing dogs must print, SIGN and present the "Rules and Regulations for Attendees" form below upon arrival at the event to participate

Download Rules and Regulations for Attendees

The gathering will be outside at Memorial Park adjacent to the Museum under a VIP tent with tables and chairs. Cold beverages and cookies will be provided. Please bring your dog's favorite dish for water. Restrooms will be available in the Museum.  There is no admission fee for entry to the museum.

Note: Only service animals are allowed in the museum where the Memphis Belle is on display. (More on this below)

 

Activities that are being planned may include the following (subject to change):

  • Presentations about:
    • Stuka, the 11th crew member of the Belle
    • The Memphis Belle, the war bond tour, and her restoration
    • The life of the crew of a B-17 bomber
    • General Scottie health information
  • Take a self-guided tour, or join a docent-led tour inside the Museum to see the Memphis Belle up close
  • A Scottie parade through the adjacent Memorial Park
  • Meet the Cocker family whose Scottie "Bentley" portrayed Stuka for the 2018 week long unveiling of the restored Belle. They are bringing his custom made uniform made for him by the restoration team modeled after the actual uniform worn originally by Stuka during his tours.
  • Demonstrations from local dog training centers
  • Education regarding puppy mills in Ohio and surrounding states
  • Complimentary STCA/HTF DNA Bank sampling by an onsite veterinarian for the preservation of Scottie DNA, to monitor genetic and genomic data of the breed, and to provide DNA samples for future research and DNA testing to benefit all Scotties
  • AND, the Museum Special Events Team has arranged for all to be able to enter the Museum when it closes to the public at 5:00pm for a brief PHOTO SHOOT of everyone and their little "Stukas" at the base of the Memphis Belle herself!  They are making an after-hours exception to the 'service dog' requirement for this. Thank you to the Museum staff for this rare opportunity!

All who attend the event will be entered into a drawing for one of three author-signed editions of Masters of The Air by author and historian Donald L. Miller that serves as the basis for the hit series on Apple TV+ by the same name. Thank you Mr. Miller for your generosity!

(Winners of the drawing must be present at the event)

We are very excited that Louisa Grove (Lessing) of Cozy Coats for Pets from South Africa has graciously donated to make a custom-fitted kilt as shown here as a prize for one lucky Scottish Terrier attendee at the event. It will include a sporran and the bagpipe stitching as shown here.

 

The drawing will be held during the event. The winner will be able to chose from a variety of tartan patterns and submit measurements for Louisa to make the kilt to send a few weeks later.

 

We have five of her kilts and the quality is incredible. Thank you Louisa for this generous gift!

(Winner of the drawing must be present at the event)

 

All who are registered by midnight May 1st, will receive commemorative Stuka Day 2024 dog tags upon check in at the event.

 

Download Rules and Regulations for Attendees

Attendee Registration Form for Stuka Day 2024
Trouble registering? Send us an email at contact@afterglowkennels.com
 

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Memorial Park at

The National Museum of the US Air Force

1100 Spaatz Street

Dayton, Ohio 45433

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