For those who know me, they’ll tell you I’m a private person. I rarely share personal stories, especially about the challenging paths I’ve walked in recent years. But as Veteran’s Day approaches, I feel a pull—perhaps a spiritual nudge from my late son—to share how Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue came to be.
Recently, I gathered the strength to go through some of my son’s belongings. Among them, I found a small notebook with the Airman’s Creed written in his hand. Seeing those words, penned with such dedication, brought me to tears and reminded me of his devotion to the Air Force and his dream to serve.
Before he joined, Dustin had explored various paths. After college, he spoke to us about enlisting in the Army. It took us by surprise—we asked him why he’d consider it, given that he already had a solid career and was doing well. But Dustin had a calling, a deep sense of duty that he often spoke about with his grandfather, a WWII veteran, and his uncles, who served in Vietnam and the Navy. After taking our advice about asking the Army Recruiter some pointed questions about what they could offer him he decided to pass on the opportunity. It was only a couple of years later that he called a family meeting to tell us he’d enlisted in the Air Force. This time, his decision was unshakable.
I still have all his letters from boot camp. At first, he wrote about the difficulty and the homesickness. But soon, his tone changed as he grew stronger, more focused. He told us how he was surpassing expectations, mentoring others, and finding purpose in service.
When graduation came, we saw him—a little tired, but proud, confident, and fulfilled. That was Dustin: always willing to lead, to support others, and to give his all. After further training, he was stationed at Beale A.F.B. in Marysville, CA. We cherished those times we could see him, as he poured his passion into his work, his team, and his love for his dogs.
Dustin and I often talked about starting a dog rescue together; to save shelter dogs and train them in obedience so they would have a better chance of finding a home. After we lost him on October 16, 2021, creating Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue felt like a fitting legacy. In his honor, we focused on serving veterans and active military, especially those dealing with PTSD—a cause deeply needed within the service community.
In February 2022, we officially became a 501(c)(3). Since then, our mission has grown beyond what I could have imagined, and every step feels guided by Dustin’s memory. Today, we are here, stronger, and more dedicated than ever, helping veterans, military members, and the dogs he loved. We are forever grateful to our veterans and service members for their courage, sacrifices, and commitment to our country.
As we approach the end of the year, we are launching our campaign to continue supporting this vital mission. https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/6da2ee5c-0bd7-4871-ab88-9100963a4941
If Dustin’s story and our work resonate with you, please consider donating, sponsoring, or sharing our program. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our heroes and the dogs that bring them healing. To learn more about us and ways to get involved, visit our website, and help us continue this legacy of service and compassion.
Website – https://www.starsandstripesdogrescue.org
Instagram - @starsandstripesdogrescue
Gratefully yours,
Susan Aimes
Founder/CEO
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