EDINBURG — “Thank you for bringing my son home,” Oralia Alvarado said, leaning down to wrap her arms around the neck of a big black labrador retriever lying in a blanketed wagon on the outskirts of town Thursday.
Saying farewell to Sgt. Fieldy was obviously emotional for Alvarado. It was particularly emotional for her son, Nick Caceres, a Marine veteran who served as Fieldy’s handler on one of the dog’s three tours in Afghanistan. Caceres has, over the past few months, made Fieldy the namesake of a push to change rules at veteran cemeteries that would allow military working dogs to be buried there.
Fieldy — 15 years old and in poor health — was euthanized Thursday. He received most of the traditional pomp and circumstance that attend funerals of two-legged veterans: a rendition of taps, a gun salute, a flag draped over his body.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nick Caceres takes one last look at Sgt. Fieldy before his last goodbye Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Several people caress the head of Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Nico Caceres, 8, shares a tender moment with Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sgt. Fieldy looks at the crowd before his last goodbye on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nick Caceres and his family stand near the body of Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nick Caceres and his family watch the folding of the U.S. flag that dropped the body of Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sgt. Fieldy is seen walking around the kitchen Thursday, April 6, 2023, in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sgt. Fieldy is carried by his handler, Nick Caceres, before being put to rest on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sadie, 6, and Niko, 9, Caceres say their final goodbyes to Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sgt. Fieldy, a 15-year-old Labrador Retriever, looks out the window at his home on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Niko Caceres, 9, sits on the carriage with Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nick Caceres with his son Niko, 9, and daughter Sadie, 6, watch the folding of the U.S. flag that draped the body of Sgt. Fieldy on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])
