Shade Township near Stoystown in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Warrior Dog
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 18, 2026
1. Warrior Dog Marker
COOPER
Breed: Labrador
Color: Golden
Deployment: Iraq/Afghanistan
Handler: Corporal Kory Duane Wiens
Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Corporal Wiens joined the 94th Mine Dog Detachment, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade and served in Iraq in 2007.
Wiens met a lab named Cooper and they quickly bonded, creating a strong team. The duo worked to find firearms and explosives in Iraq. Sadly, while patrolling Iraq, the two died serving their country. They are laid to rest together in Wiens' hometown of Dallas, OR. After their heroic death, author Maria Goodavage included the two in her book Top Dog. Goodavage revealed that Corporal Wiens always called Cooper his "son" and was planning on adopting him. Corporal Wiens' dad has begun adopting yellow labs to remind him of his son and Cooper. One of these dogs had a litter of puppies that were named the "Kory Wiens and Cooper Memorial Dogs." Goodavage and a previous comrade of Corporal Wiens have both adopted puppies.
Erected 2021 by Patriot Park Foundation.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Animals
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Location. 40° 5.06′ N, 78° 53.452′ W. Memorial is near Stoystown, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is in Shade Township. It can be reached from Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) 0.2 miles west of Johnson Bottom Road (Local Route 730), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 6150 Lincoln Highway, Stoystown PA 15563, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Master Sergeant John Chapman (here, next to this marker); Totals by State of the Fallen (here, next to this marker); Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe (here, next to this marker); Cambria County, Pennsylvania Hometown Heroes (here, next to this marker); Afghanistan Fallen Heroes (here, next to this marker); Honoring the families of those who served. (here, next to this marker); 1st Battalion 109th Infantry Regiment Pennsylvania Army National Guard (here, next to this marker); Field of Heroes Flag Display (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stoystown.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 18, 2026
2. Warrior Dog Marker
Marker is in the left foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
