Kennel Dedication in memory of L/Cpl Dustin Jerome LeeKennel Dedication in memory of L/Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee
03/19/2010 Albany, Georgia First 3 photos-Lex at the 2008 Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.
Last photo is Jim Frost and Lex
The United States Marine Corps will be dedicating the kennels at their Albany, GA facility to the memory of L/Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee. The ceremony takes place at 1000 hours on March 19, 2010.
Dustin was assigned to Lex and they trained at Albany. They were deployed together to Iraq as a team. On March 21, 2007, Dustin was mortally wounded by an RPG round and Lex was seriously wounded.
Thru it all, Lex covered Dustin with his own body, and had to be dragged off Dustin in order for the medics to reach Dustin. Lex was medevaced back to the US in time to attend memorial services for his handler, Dustin.
The family spent several months trying to adopt Lex and, with some great help, were able to do so in December, 2007. Most major TV networks were on hand for the adoption ceremony. So many honors have been bestowed on Lex and this great family.
They visit Veterans Homes, and attend Veterans events. They came out to Phoenix and walked in the 2008 Veterans Day Parade, surrounded by canine teams from Luke AFB, Phoenix Police, and Dept of Public Safety.
Lex was awarded Law Enforcement Canine of the Year by the AKC. They received an award from the Army Air Force Exchange Service. They've had many magazine articles written.
Now, Dustin himself receives one of the ultimate honors.
This was the article
written in
Ladies Home Journal a few months ago. http://www.lhj.com/relationships/family/pets/a-true-war-hero/
As I learn more details from the Lee family, I will post them here. If you want detailed info as this progresses, please email me at jfrost981@cox.net
The best contact for information is Bob James and his e-mail address is bob.e.james@usmc.mil
Bob is the operations officer at the PIO Office at the Albany Base. He will e-mail a parking pass to those planning to attend.
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