PHOTOS: Taking on the Tango Trot

BERLIN HEIGHTS — As evidenced by flashing wide grins — some showed their teeth, others panted with their tongues hanging low — all in attendance seemed super happy to attend an annual event fun for both humans and dogs. Several hundred people and their canine companions attended the fourth-annual Tango Trot on Saturday in Berlin Heights' Memorial Park. This event pays tribute to the late Maxton Soviak, a U.S. Navy Corpsman and a 2017 Edison High School graduate. Tango is Max's German Shepherd, serving as the face of the dog walk. Proceeds from the event benefit his foundation, the Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation, which provides veterans and their families with adventures, experiences and resources "to live life to the Max," as its mission statement indicates. People took part in the Tango Trot in a few different ways: • A 2-mile dog walk through Riverside Cemetery, which allowed participants and their pups to pay respects to Soviak at his final resting place • A 1-mile walk for smaller or older dogs around Berlin Heights • A virtual walk for those who could not attend; People and their dogs could walk in their own neighborhoods and then send in pictures to the foundation afterward. Several people who didn't bring dogs also attended the trot and walk, enjoying many family-friendly activities. Around Memorial Park, visitors — whether on two legs or on four — could check out and speak with vendors, win raffle prizes, taste treats from food trucks, watch K-9 demonstrations, take part in family-friendly activities and capture some pictures in photo cutout boards. Maxton's parents, Kip and Rachel, appreciated everyone who showed up and supported this important cause. "It's something different that people can do," Kip said. "It's not an all-day festival. It's not a 5K. It's something quick that lets you get outside with your dog, if you have one, and buy dog-related items." Kip noted it's also a great opportunity "for your dog to interact with other dogs." "That's the neatest thing, to see how many different breeds of dogs there are in the area," he said. The community cares Proceeds from this event and other foundation-related efforts benefit the foundation. This past year, the foundation connected three veterans each with a service dog. Those dogs now live in their forever homes with those veterans. The foundation can purchase service dogs and provide other life-changing opportunities and experiences for those in need due, in large part, to Tango's Trot's participation levels. "It's whatever a veteran might need to help get through certain parts of their lives," said Kip, who served as the keynote speaker for a wreath-laying on Memorial Day in Columbus, which honored his son's legacy. Among those in attendance: Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and former Ohio State running back/first-year Bowling Green State University head football coach Eddie George. "With dogs, they're specifically trained for the veterans," Kip said. "We work with K-9 professionals who train our dogs and can figure out what a certain veteran's needs are and work that into the training." In the trot's first four years, this event has exceeded all expectations set out by organizers and the Soviaks. "We can't begin to express our gratitude for all the support we have been shown," Kip and Rachel wrote in a joint statement. "The foundation has been successful because of the hard work and generosity of all the communities coming together. We couldn't do this without their support, and, because of them, we can help veterans live life to the Max." Honoring a hero Soviak, 22, was among 13 U.S. service members who died on Aug. 26, 2021. Maxton died a hero, helping evacuate Americans and Afghan citizens, including children, at risk of being killed by the Taliban. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, Maxton earned the nickname "Doc" from Marines that he served with. He received the "Doc" title because of his relentless approach in caring for and saving people through his medical expertise. As a result of his brave actions in support of his fellow service members and mission, the Navy posthumously advanced Maxton to the rank of Hospital Corpsman Third Class on Sept. 2, 2021. He also received many honors, including the Purple Heart, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Fleet Marine Force warfare badge. Supporting Maxton Soviak People can make donations, learn about affiliated events or inquire about the Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation by visiting maxtonsoviak.org. Several verified social media sites also provide updates on the foundation: • Facebook: @MaxtonSoviakMemorial • Twitter: @SoviakStrong • Instagram @corpsman_maxton_w_memorial Since its founding, in less than four years, the nonprofit's two major events — the golf scramble and Tango Trot — raised enough money to specially train several service and therapy dogs for veterans in need. Additionally, the foundation helped provide adventures and experiences to other qualifying veterans. "I've said, since Maxton's funeral (in September 2021) that the community has been our rock. They have come out and been nothing but supportive to us in Erie and Huron counties, Norwalk, Sandusky, Berlin Heights, Milan and the state of Ohio," said Kip, who also thanked those supporting his son during the latest Ironman event and at local festivals. "There has been tremendous support to help Rachel and I get through everything we have been through, and we're grateful they continue to come out and provide support to us and the foundation."