http://twitter.com/#!/USArmy/status/286095591111540736

The DoD’s FIRST float in the Tournament of Roses parade debuts. “Freedom Is Not Free” will honor Korean War Veterans.fxn.ws/Vmy3y2

— Operation Homefront (@Op_Homefront) January 1, 2013

@usarmy @militarydotcom were in korea right now! 1/15th Field artillery in camp hovey! respect for the korean war vets. twitter.com/Coreydavis13b/…

— Corey Davis (@Coreydavis13b) January 1, 2013

The annual New Year’s Rose Parade kicks off at 8am Pacific Time this morning. Viewers are especially excited about two military-themed floats honoring America’s Korean War vets and military service dogs.

Rose Parade float represents #military #dog monument. @usmcstripes.com/1.202301

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 29, 2012

Here’s a pic of the Korean War vets’ float:

Rose Parade float commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War twitter.com/DrewEdu/status…

— Noel Drew (@DrewEdu) January 1, 2013

And more on the military service dogs’ float:

“Canines with Courage” float in the #RoseParade honors sacrifices of military service dogs ow.ly/gqvxw #Marines

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 31, 2012

Watch for Embassy Helsinki’s own hero dog, Lucca, at the Rose Bowl Parade on January 1st – a True American Tradition bit.ly/R5KPmC

— U.S. Embassy Finland (@usembfinland) December 28, 2012

If anyone wants to DVR the potion of the Rose Parade with the Military Service Dog float and mute the insane announcers, I’d be much obliged

— Wayne Jessup (@waj1) January 1, 2013

It’s been nine months since Lucca lost her paw to a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. A veteran of three combat deployments, she is one of thousands of U.S. military working dogs trained to sniff out booby traps, deliver messages and track enemies. She has led more than 200 missions, with no Marine ever injured under her patrol.

When the 124th Rose Parade kicks off the new year on Tuesday, Lucca and her handlers will be riding a float celebrating the decades of service by her kind. The float, titled “Canines with Courage” and sponsored by Natural Balance Pet Foods, was inspired by the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument that will be dedicated later next year in San Antonio.

Four handlers and their dogs, representing the Air Force, Army and Marines, will also escort the float, built by Fiesta Parade Floats.

God bless all our troops and their support staff and service animals this New Year’s Day!

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/01/01/rose-parade-to-honor-korean-war-vets-military-service-dogs/