The family of Dustin Lee, a Quitman native and U.S. Marine killed in a rocket propelled grenade attack March 21 in Iraq, is celebrating now that their lobbying for Lee's K-9 partner, Lex, has paid off.
Lex, the 8-year old German Shepherd who was seriously injured in the attack but has since recovered, will be the subject of a joyous reunion on Dec. 21 at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Ga. Lee's family is scheduled to pick up Lex exactly nine months after the attack. "We knew that's what Dustin would have wanted out of this," Jerome Lee, Dustin Lee's father told a reporter from the Associated Press. "He knew we would take care of Lex and love him, just like our own."
At the time of the attack earlier this year, Dustin Lee was detached from Marine Corps Police Department, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and attached to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
According to a press release submitted by MCLB Albany, Lee's family had requested to adopt Lex even though the dog was still in a working capacity. The request began going through military channels, and during mid-November,
several congressional representatives began advocating for Lex's adoption.
"We are proud to have had Lex serve alongside Marines here and around the world," said MCLB Albany Commanding Officer Col. C.N. Haliday. "The sacrifice Cpl. Lee has made and that of Lex will not be forgotten. I am glad to be able to support the Lee family, not just in the adoption of Lex, but also to reestablish their connection to their beloved son Dustin."
2nd Lt. Caleb Eames, a spokesman for the Marine base in Albany, said Lex is the first able-bodied dog the military has released to a former handler's family.
"Obviously their situation is very unique," Eames said concerning the Lee family. "The military is proud to have dogs like Lex, but even more happy to be able to assuage the family's grief."
Congress passed a law in 2000 allowing aging or disabled military dogs to be adopted by police departments, former handlers and possibly civilians if the dogs aren't too aggressive.
Lex was medically evaluated for 12 weeks at Camp Lejeune, N.C. before returning to duty at MCLB Albany. He was deemed fully recovered from his injuries but still carries several pieces of shrapnel from the attack.
On Dec. 7, after a request was made by Marine Corps Headquarters, the adoption was approved by the U.S. Air Force.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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Lex is coming home
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