Lawmaker helps slain Marine's family adopt son's K-9 partner

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones was recently honored by the Humane Society of the United States for his role in enabling the family of U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee to adopt their son’s canine partner, Lex.

“With characteristic persistence and grace, Congressman Jones convinced our military to override its rules and grant Lex early retirement” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. “In so doing, Congressman Jones provided much needed comfort to a fallen Marine’s family and a loving home to a loyal and deserving dog.”

Lee, a military working dog handler, and Lex, an 8-year-old bomb-sniffing German shepherd from Camp Lejeune, were a highly-trained explosives detection team. Lex was at Lee’s side when he was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade on March 21, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq. Shrapnel from the explosion was buried in Lex’s back and side, and he nearly lost his tail – yet he recovered enough to be cleared for duty. After learning what had happened, however, Lee’s parents were determined to adopt Lex.

“They spent so much time together, training and getting ready for their mission,” said Lee’s father, Jerome. “Dustin loved Lex, and Lex loved Dustin. To have a part of Dustin back from the Marine Corps has really helped our family.”

Jones, R-3rd District, learned of the Lee family’s situation from John Burnam, author of “Dog Tags of Courage.” Lex, who sustained shrapnel wounds from the same enemy-fired rocket-propelled grenade that took Cpl. Lee’s life, was due for retirement after his combat tour in Iraq. But following Cpl. Lee’s death, the Marine Corps indicated that Lex, despite his injuries, was fit for duty and not yet eligible for adoption.

At the request of the Lee family, Jones contacted the Marine Corps in November 2007 to endorse their request that Lex be retired and released for adoption by their family. Days later, the Marine Corps confirmed that the request would be granted. On Dec. 21, 2007, exactly nine months after Cpl. Lee’s death, Jones traveled to U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga., and witnessed the Lee family’s adoption of Lex at the dog’s retirement ceremony.

“I am so grateful to the U.S. Marine Corps and Commandant James T. Conway for the tremendous gift they chose to bestow upon Jerome and Rachel Lee, who gave the ultimate gift of their son for this country,” Jones said. “Although Lex could never replace their son, caring for Lex has brought such joy and comfort to the Lee family, as well as to the dog itself.

“Lex loved and protected Cpl. Lee on the battlefield, and welcoming Lex into the Lee home has kept a big part of Cpl. Lee’s life alive for their family.”