Posted on 12/22/2007 10:55:00 AM PST by Names Ash Housewares
"It's not going to bring back my brother, but it's something close to it," said Madison Lee as she played with Lex after the ceremony.
Military officials initially told the family that Lex had another two years of service before he could be adopted. But the family lobbied for months — even enlisting the aid of a North Carolina congressman — and the adoption came exactly nine months after the 20-year-old Marine was killed and his dog wounded on March 21 in Iraq's Anbar Province.
2nd Lt. Caleb Eames, spokesman for the Albany base, said Lee and Lex were sitting outside at a forward operating base in Karmah when they were hit by shrapnel from a 73mm rocket explosion.
"A part of Dustin is in Lex," said the fallen Marine's father. "To have Lex at home is a part of having Dustin at home."
Rachel Lee said she believes her son's spirit will live on through the dog because of their close bond and because they were together during the final moments of her son's life.
"It was blood on blood," she said. "We can't get Dustin back, but we have Lex."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I saw this on TV last night and it made me cry. That is one handsome, fantastic dog.
D#mn that’s a Great lookin’ dog.... my screen went blurry.
From the photo, it looks like this poor family has a lot of pain to be eased. God bless them, and help them through the Christmas season.
Sandrat HD get in here
Seven, you for got doggone. How could you? LOL
good for the family...
and thank you Lex for your service to your master and to the country!!!!!
sometimes heroes come with four paws!!!!
I didn’t know I thought it was Hair of the dog LOL!
There’s two to howl at on dog stories with a WOOF! WOOF! Hair of the Dog and Dog Gone.
LOL
Lex will have a companion as Corporal Lee had already adopted his first dog, Doenja, when he had to be retired due to failing eyesight.
Just FYI with heart-felt Christmas greetings to you and all on the thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1938796/posts
If I don't see ping you all again in the next day or so, Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!
Fabulous dog! what a creature! May God Comfort these good folks and heal their pain in this first Christmas without their beloved son.
I saw this on TV, very touching.
Have a wonderful Christmas.
My two rescue dogs thank you as well. ;-D
Lex’s master Dustin Lee was a Mississippi boy. Lex arrived home to the the Lee family yesterday.
PGR pingworthy article. Lex was escorted home by contingents of PGR from Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi (and probably other states).
You got it, NerdDad!
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