Speaker Series - Warrior Dogs - BBQ

Join us for an afternoon of inspiration during this in-person event taking place at the Napa Valley Museum, July 13, 2024, at 4:00 PM. Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear Navy SEAL Will Chesney discuss his book No Ordinary Dog: My Partner from the Guests will learn about the realities of dog training, and the essential role that dogs play in military operations. Chesney’s book, No Ordinary Dog, tells the story of Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog who accompanied the two dozen Navy SEALs, including Chesney, who descended on Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound in May 2011. Then meet artist, James Mellick a wood sculptor for more than 40 years who was inspired in 2015 to use art to tell a different story. The Warrior Dog project began as a way to depict injuries that many soldiers returned from war with but turned into stories about actual military service dogs such as Cairo.  ​ ​Afterwards, guests are invited to grab some BBQ, sip on wines and take a tour of the Napa Valley Museum and the Tug McGraw Foundation's special exhibition, WARRIOR DOGS: Honoring the service and sacrifice of American military and working dogs, this emotional, inspiring exhibition takes a deep dive into the heroic partnership between military dogs, their trainers, handlers, and other soldiers with whom they serve. The exhibition includes 16 life-size wooden sculptures by acclaimed artist James Mellick, including Cairo, who deployed to Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy SEAL Will Chesney. A kid-friendly “petting dog” sculpture by James Mellick is also included. "This display has brought together the trifecta of woodworking that people love, the patriotism and the dogs and that’s where I think it draws its power." James Mellick. 4:00pm Program | Book Signing \(Will's and Jim's books will be available for purchase at the museum\) 5:00pm Meet and Greet BBQ Napa Valley Museum, Veterans Home of California, Yountville