JONES APPLAUDS CORPS’ DECISION TO ALLOW FAMILY OF FALLEN MARINE TO ADOPT SON’S K-9 PARTNER

Jones helps secure adoption of military working dog, Lex, for family of U.S. Marine Corps canine handler Corporal Dustin Lee Congressman Walter B. Jones today praised the decision of the United States Marine Corps to allow the family of Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps military working dog handler killed in action on March 21, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq, to adopt their son’s canine partner, Lex. Cpl. Lee and Lex, a German shepherd from Camp Lejeune, were a highly-trained explosives detection team. “I am so grateful to the U.S. Marine Corps and Commandant James T. Conway for the tremendous gift they have chosen to bestow upon Jerome and Rachel Lee, who gave the ultimate gift of their son for this country,” Congressman Jones said. “Although Lex will never replace their son, caring for Lex will bring such joy and comfort to the Lee family, as well as to the dog itself. Welcoming Lex into the Lee home will not only help lessen the Lee family’s ongoing grief, but will keep a big part of Cpl. Lee’s life alive for their family.” “Lex loved and protected Cpl. Lee on the battlefield, and now Cpl. Lee’s family will have the opportunity to love and protect Lex in the peaceful surroundings of their home in Mississippi,” Jones said. “The U.S Marine Corps has demonstrated its tremendous compassion by granting this fitting thank you to the parents of one of our nation’s fallen heroes.” 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. However, the U.S. Marine Corps had recently indicated that Lex, despite his injuries, was fit for duty and not yet eligible for adoption. Congressman Jones first learned of the Lee family’s situation from John Burnam, author of Dog Tags of Courage. At the request of the Lee family, Congressman Jones contacted the Marine Corps to communicate and endorse their request that Lex now be retired and released for adoption by their family. The U.S. Marine Corps recently confirmed that the request would be granted, and notified Congressman Jones that the Lee family will be able to retrieve Lex from Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany within the next two weeks. For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones, please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.