A dog has one aim in life. To bestow his heart. - J.R. Ackerley (part 2)

(photo by Lisa Pembleton / Getty Images)

Article by: Scogg Stump, TODAY.com contributor; updated 8/25/11 9:54:58 AM ET

Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson lay in a coffin, draped in an American flag, in front of a tearful audience mourning his death in Afghanistan. Soon an old friend appeared, and like a fellow soldier on a battlefield, his loyal dog refused to leave him behind.

This picture reminds me of the ending scene to Where The Red Fern Grows, in the movie...coinicidentily its the only part of the movie I did see.

"The U.S. led coalition said in a statement that 30 American service members, a civilian interpreter and seven Afghan commandos were killed when their CH-47 Chinook crashed in the early hours Saturday. A current U.S. official and a former U.S. official said the Americans included 22 Navy SEALS, three Air Force air controllers and a dog handler and his dog."