Patriot Family Pet and Hero Wins Contest

AAFES Salute To Your Service

Lex was the K9 partner to Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee who was killed in Iraq in March of 2007. Lex was injured in the attack that killed his partner. He later received and "honorary Purple Heart" from the Military Order of the Purple Heart Ch 566.

Lex received early retirement and was adopted by Cpl Lee’s family in December of 2007. Lex’s early retirement and adoption was the first of its kind in Marine Corps history.

Lex’s current mission is to help his family heal from the loss of their son and brother and to also help other veterans and families to heal and cope with their losses as well. The Lee family and Lex currently visit VA Hospitals and attend speaking engagements to honor our fallen Soldiers and Marines.

The Lee family is proud of Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee’s service and also proud of his partner Lex, who stood by his side, while he lay injured.

Lex is an 8 year old German Shepherd dog that was trained in finding explosives and he is our Patriot Family Pet and hero.

Winners:

Grand Prize Winner - $1,500 AAFES gift card: Jerome Lee

First Place - $1,000 AAFES gift card: Zachery Eierman

2 x Second Place - $500 AAFES gift card: Emily Seibert and Benjamin Croom

2 x Third Place - $250 AAFES gift card: Tabitha Welsh and Alyssa Tinker

LEX-GRAND MARSHALL OF VETERANS PARADE

KNXV-TV in Phoenix, AZ

Military dog honored for staying by his handler's side.

A bomb-sniffing dog who once worked in Iraq is being honored during a reception at the Arizona State Veteran home.

The German Shepherd Marine, Lex, and his handler, Marine Corporal Dustin Lee, suffered shrapnel wounds in Karmah, Iraq in March 2007.

According to Lee's family, an IED exploded and launched shrapnel into Lee's body and his dog's body.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him," said Rachel Lee, Dustin Lee's mother.

According to Lee's family, Lex refused to leave Lee's side during the incident, as Lee waited for transportation to a treatment facility.

"Lex did not want to leave Dustin because that was his partner," said Jerome Lee, Dustin Lee's father. "He was going to stay with him no matter what."

"Lex laid on top (of Dustin)...and didn't want to be removed," recalled Rachel Lee.

"He actually had to be pulled way from Dustin," added Jerome Lee.

According to the Lee's parents, Lex attended Lee's funeral in Mississippi after receiving his own treatment at a veterinary hospital in North Carolina.

Lee's parents told ABC15 they adopted Lex after the incident. However, the process was not easy.

"When we lost Dustin, we knew we wanted a part of Lex to be with us," said Jerome Lee. "No matter what," he said.

Lee's parents said Lex was a working military dog, and had already served several years in the military. He had approximately two years left of duty.

Lee's parents said they believe Lex is the first military dog to be retired from service early.

"Lex is like a member of our family," said Jerome Lee. "I'm not going to say it fills a void, but we know that Dustin wanted Lex to be with us," he said.

Rachel Lee said looking at Lex helps her see her son's soul.

"It's like having the spirit within," she said.

Rachel Lee said dogs like Lex are helping military troops all over the world.

"They may be just a dog," she said, "but they're a soldier, and they're a partner with another mother's son to protect."

The reception honoring Lex happened Saturday at 2:00pm at the Arizona State Veteran Home.

Lex, who already has been honored with a commemorative purple heart, will also be an honorary grand marshal at the VA Veteran's Day Parade in Phoenix.

azfamily.com

Iraq Veteran Honored by AZ Vets

WOUNDED WARRIORS ARRIVED IN MISSISSIPPI

The Wounded Warriors made their stop in Pearl, Mississippi today. They arrived at the Cracker Barrel around 1115 this morning and did not leave until almost 1600. A great time was had by all.

The five Wounded Warriors. Three from the Wounded Warrior Project and two local veterans, Norris Galatas and Lex, the MWD.

Some of the Mississippi Patriot Guard Riders also were on hand to welcome these Wounded Warriors to Pearl, Mississippi. I was told that this was a first for the Wounded Warriors on their road tour, for the Patriot Guard Riders to come and welcome them.

Giff, giving a thumbs up.

Don't think that Lex needs any introduction.

Two Wounded Warriors exchanging stories.

Wounded Warriors and Veterans on the porch at Cracker Barrel.

Stacy and Carol/Mississippi Soldiers' Angels

Thanks to all for making today such a wonderful success. It was great to be able to sit around on the porch of Cracker Barrel and listen to these wounded vets and veterans exchange war stories.

Cross post at Mississippi Soldiers' Angels/Mississippi VA Team Blog.

Soldiers’ Angels Veterans Team

Along with Rachel Lee (Mom to Cpl. Dustin Lee who was killed in Iraq March 21, 2007) and Retired Military Working Dog, Lex visited the Jackson, Mississippi Veterans home last Wednesday. It was an awesome visit.  Words can not explain.  We made our rounds and whoever wanted to visit with Lex and Rachel did just that. Lex was his usual self by being a ham.  He even managed to get partially up on a few beds. We were scheduled to be there for an hour, but we somehow managed to be there over two hours. Thanks to Claire for her help in shading out the Veterans pictures so that I could share them.

This Veteran was in the Korean War and was a K-9 Handler. Lex must have knows as he took right to him.

We also were able to visited with an Army Colonel. 

It was a great visit and we will definitely be going back for more visits.  Brock (my bosses son) had the best time ever I think.

Day one of the trip

This picture is not good quality at all, but the blue speck you see is the surprise. The happy soldier arrived at the Pensacola airport today at 3:30 p.m. and we were there to greet him and make sure he made it to the hotel. We actually pulled it off without the immediate family knowing that Soldiers' Angels made it possible for this soldier to come back to the states for less than 48 hours of leave so that he could participate in the ceremony.

The Star of the weekend, LEX. He was ready to get out and see everyone.


I kept Lex while they all went out to eat, and he and he made himself at home on my hotel bed.

It's been a long day, and it's almost midnight and we are just winding down. That early morning wake up call is not too far away. Stay tuned for the big ceremony tomorrow.

OFF TO OUR ADVENTUROUS WEEKEND...

It's mighty early, but we are headed to Florida.  We will be on the road traveling for the better part of the day, so stay tuned late tonight for an update on what is going on in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.  

There will be lots of good homemade food to snack on, and lots of good folks to visit with the whole weekend.

Lots of pictures to follow I promise.

MOST FAMOUS MILITARY DOG IN AMERICA

Yes, it is Lex again, and he is still making headlines.
WTOK

The most famous military dog in America will soon receive one of the nation's highest honors.

Lex, the former bomb-sniffing dog of the late Marine Cpl. Dustin Lee of Stonewall, will be given a commemorative Purple Heart next month.

Lex was working with Cpl. Lee when the Marine was killed during a bombing in Iraq last year. The German Shepherd was also injured. He has since been retired and lives with Lee's family in Clarke County.

The Working Dog and Fallen K-9 Handler Tribute ceremony will be Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Air Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Officials say three other K-9 handler/trainers have been killed in combat since the beginning of the Iraqi War.

Military Dog Handlers Killed in Action

Sgt. Adam L. Cann, USMC, Jan 5, 2006

TSgt. Jason Norton, USAF, Jan 22, 2006

Cpl. Dustin J. Lee, USMC, March 21, 2007

Cpl. Kory D. Weins, US Army, July 6, 2007

Military Working Dogs Killed in Action

MWD Marco, USAF, Jan 20, 2007

MWD Cooper , US Army, July 6, 2007

MWD Arras, USAF, Sept 25, 2007

A Tribute to honor all Military Working Dogs and Fallen K9 Handlers.

Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 1 PM

Air Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base

Ft Walton Beach, FL

Military Dog Handlers Killed in Action

Sgt Adam L. Cann, USMC, Jan 5, 2006

Tsgt Jason Norton, USAF, Jan 22, 2006

Cpl Dustin J. Lee, USMC, March 21, 2007

Cpl Kory D. Weins, US Army, July 6, 2007

Military Working Dogs Killed in Action

MWD Marco, USAF, Jan 20, 2007

MWD Cooper , US Army, July 6, 2007

MWD Arras, USAF, Sept 25, 2007

Special Guests and Speakers

John C. Burnam - Vietnam Veteran War Dog Handler, Author of “Dog Tags of Courage.”

Family of Dustin J. Lee and Lex

Working Dog Demonstration Team

Dog Teams representing U.S. Armed Services and Civilian Police

William Everett- Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 566, 

Patriot Guard Riders

More information can be found at Military Working Dog and Handlers Support Blog.

Patriot Guard Riders from several states will be on hand for the ceremony and to escort Lex and the Lee family.

Getting ready for a little road trip and we are taking Henry and his dog Lizzie as DH says.  Not sure how this is going to work out.  Henry will do fine cause he is perfect, but Lizzie is a another story.  She is not a good rider.  The vet says he can give us something to calm her down, so we shall see. 

IT'S OFFICIAL

Lex will be headed back to Mississippi in the morning. The Patriot Guard Riders of Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama have made Lex the official Ride Captain for the journey home. The ceremony this morning was very breath taking to say the least. CNN aired the ceremony live from Albany, Georgia at 0830. 

CBS News Interview with the Lee's

Stay tuned for more...

BRINGING LEX HOME...

An early Christmas present indeed for CPT. Dustin Lee's family.

Lex is coming home and should arive in time to enjoy Christmas with his new family in Mississippi.

"When Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee was assigned Lex, a military working dog from Camp Lejeune, the two became fast friends.

Lee had wanted to work with dogs since he was 5, and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Lee decided to join the military as his father had. So it made sense, his father says, that he became a handler of a combat dog. Lex and Lee were deployed together.

They were stationed in Iraq in March when a mortar attack killed Lee, a 20-year-old Marine from Mississippi, and wounded Lex, leaving shrapnel in his spine.

Lee’s family has been trying for months to adopt the 8-year-old German shepherd who, despite his injuries, is still classified as a working dog. The Lees got word Wednesday that they could bring Lex home, in part because of the efforts of a North Carolina congressman.

“Lex was my son’s partner; he was his best friend,” said Jerome Lee, a National Guard veteran who is with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. “He was next to him. He was the last one to see him alive.”

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones, whose congressional district includes Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station New River, began to work on behalf of the Lee family this month.

Jones heard about Lex from John Burnam, a friend of the congressman’s and founder of the National War Dogs Monument project in Washington.

“When I was presented with this story, it brought tears to my eyes,” Jones said this week.

After the injury, Lex was sent to Camp Lejeune for rehabilitation, the elder Lee said Wednesday. Now the dog is at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in Georgia and was intended to work for another two years.

Working dogs are part of the military police, trained to perform patrols, detect drugs and bombs. All of the dogs on the East Coast are home based at Camp Lejeune. Out west, dogs are stationed at Camp Pendleton in California.

“I talked to the daddy of this young man down in Mississippi and knew that his son loved the dog so much,” Jones said.

“Dustin gave his life for this country,” Jones said Wednesday. “Giving the dog to his family is a small, small gift to give to a family who gave a child in the fight for freedom.

Jones said he had not expected to go to bat for a family several states away.

“This is just one family in Mississippi,” he said. “But there are so many ‘one families’ … all over North Carolina who understand this. … They have sons or daughters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“We already know what great fighters and defenders the Marines are,” Jones said Wednesday. “This reminds us that they are also people with great compassion.”

It may take a week to 10 days before Lex goes home. As “breathing property” of the Marines, he must be thoroughly examined and his records must be gathered before he can leave Georgia.

Jerome Lee, who spent part of his childhood in Fayetteville, said Wednesday that he and his wife are looking forward to having Lex in their care.

“We’re just waiting,” he said. “That dog meant so much to Dusty and he means a lot to us.”

RETIRE MILITARY WORKING DOG LEX

HELP PLEASE...

I have personally met Lex. I watched this dog at the funeral of Dustin and then at the graveside service. Lex is a very smart dog. I can still hear that one noise that Lex made that day. This dog knew that his partner was there also. We need to do whatever it takes to see that Lex gets adopted by the Lee's...

The family of CPL Dustin Lee need the Milbloggers help. They have crossed their t's and dotted their i's and still no LEX.

Please spread the word and please sign the petition to help retire Lex to Dustin's family in Mississippi.

You can also visit Retire Lex's blog and also sign the petition from their blog.

Most of you probably know by now who CPl Dustin Jerome Lee is. For those of you who do not, please take the time to read a little more about him and view photos of him at Remember CPL Dustin Lee

In a nutshell-

Dustin was a K9 War Dog Handler and MP who was killed in Iraq on March 21 2007. His K9 Lex survived but with injuries.

He received shrapnel wounds to his body, almost lost his tail, and to this day still has shrapnel lodged near his spine. The Veterinarians opted to leave this shrapnel in place as to not risk damage to Lex's spine.

Since Dustin's death the family has tried diligently to get Lex adopted to them so that they may care for him. Lex was of course the last (person) to see Dustin alive.

Even before the incident of the RPG that killed Dustin, Lex was destined to retire upon returing from this tour in Iraq. The family has waited patiently for the last remaining part of Dustin to arrive home...and they are still waiting.

It is seven months after the incident and no Lex. I know there is government bureaucracy and paperwork, but all that was done...finished and turned over the proper personnel. They feverishly worked around the clock, made phone calls, sent emails, contacted all the right people....Lex is still not home. They jumped through all the right hoops and answered all the right questions to be able to adobt Lex.

Instead the Marine Corps has decided that Lex did not need to retire and is instead located at the kennels at MCLB Albany, Georgia, back in training.

Can you imagine how heart broken and distraught this made the family once they found out they where not getting Lex for possibly 2 more years or until they where done with him? Rachel and Jerome can not have their son back, they gave him up to the Marine Corps and he was killed in the fight against terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freeedom. Why not retire Lex to Dustin's family? I think its the least the Marine Corp could offer. They do not want to replace Dustin, they just want the last piece of his life that is still alive. And by adopting Lex it will bring back a small part of Dustin and maybe a smile and laugh that they have not had in months.

They say that Lex is needed to train other K9s and handlers there at MCLB Albany. As far I know that shrapnel is still located in his back while he trains.. We can all understand that Lex may be an asset to the Kennel in training, and is a great, obedient companion, but how long until the damage that he sustained in the blast catches up with him. Lex desreves a nice home to retire to and a family that will love and take care of him.

Dustin's family are not strangers to handling K9s. Rachel, herself trained with Search and Rescue K9s. So its not like the family is unfamiliar in having to deal with trained K9s....Dustin recieved his love of dogs from somewhere right?

So I am asking everyone that knows of Dustin and Lex's story to send your comments to me. Write them here on the blog, email me, how ever you can....Give me your thoughts and opinions and we will do our best to get Lex to Dustin's parents.

A letter from Lex, written by John Burnam

I'm a U.S. Marine and the primary element of a two-member team trained to hunt and locate explosives. My partner and I trained as a team for many months honing our expertise to save American lives in the War on Terrorism in Iraq.

The date is March 21, 2007 and I was on the job in Fallujah, Iraq when an enemy fired Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) exploded in our midst. I was blasted to the ground. I'm Stunned. My head is ringing and my body feels numb. My eyes can't quite focus on anything.

My partner is lying next to me severely wounded and bleeding. I move to him and touch him but he's not responding. I feel sharp pains in my side and back. I'm bleeding but deal with it and concentrate on comforting my partner and protecting him from further harm.

Everything happened so fast that it caused disorientation and confusion. My senses pick up the lingering smell of burnt powder and smoke from the explosion. I hear lots of American voices and heavy boot-steps hurrying all around us. They reach our location and immediately attend to my partner. And then they carry him away. I'm separated from my partner for the first time. I'm not clear of thought and then I too am carried way but to a different hospital.

I'm in a building lying on a table with lights above and people talking. Still dazed and confused I hear a strange voice say my name, Lex! I gesture a slight reflex of acknowledgement. Lex! You are going to be okay buddy! Just lay still. We are going to take care of your hurts, so stay calm okay, Lex. My eyes dart around the room searching for your partner, but he's not there and no one can interpret my thoughts. I'm released from the hospital and well enough to travel so they transfer me from Iraq to a U.S. Marine Corp base in Albany, Georgia. I really miss my partner, Dusty. I know something has happened to him because he would never have left me alone for so long.

Yes, my name is Lex. I'm a seven year old German shepherd Military Working Dog. My master and loyal partner is Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee, U.S. Marine Corps canine handler from Mississippi. I'm well disciplined to my master's commands and expertly trained to sniff out bombs and explosives. Where's my master, Dusty? Where's Dusty, my partner? No one can understand me but Dusty. Where's Dusty?

Iraq was to be my last combat tour before retirement. Dusty talked to me all the time about going home and adopting me. I sure do miss my Dusty. He is the best friend I've ever had. I love that crazy Marine from Mississippi!

No one can measure the love and unconditional loyalty I have for Dusty. I'd sacrifice my own life for him and he knows it. I just wish I could have stopped that RPG or pushed Dusty away from that powerful blast. It all happened in a blink of an eye and I didn't see it coming until it was too late. Now I sit alone in my kennel-run waiting for the day Dusty shows up.

The U.S. Marines are treating me very well. I get enough food and water and exercise each day. And the Veterinarian comes by to examine my wounds on a regular basis. I just can't sleep well at night. I wake up to every little noise and I think about Dusty. Where can that Marine be?

The nights are long. The days turn into weeks. Still no Dusty! My wounds are healing and the hair is growing back. The pain still resides in my back but I can walk okay. I have a piece of shrapnel near my spine that the Veterinarians avoided removing for fear of further health complications. I've been fortunate to be declared physically unable to perform in a combat zone.

One of the dog handlers gave me a real good bath and grooming. I felt so refreshed because I was on my way to meet Dusty'9s family. Maybe Dusty will be there waiting for me. When I arrived I sensed something was not quite right. Dusty wasn't there and everyone was sad, but very happy to greet me. I then realized that I was attending Dusty's funeral. Everyone showed up to pay their respects.

Dusty is a real American hero and he was buried with full military honors. I was so proud to have been his last best friend and partner. At one particular moment of total silence during the ceremony, I sniffed a slight scent in the air that was very familiar. It smelled like Dusty. I figured he sent me a signal that he knew I was there! I moaned a sigh of grief that he would only hear and understand.

I was greeted by the Lee family with joy in their hearts. It felt so warm and comfortable to be with my partner's loving family. I wanted to stay but I was escorted away after the funeral and back to Albany, Georgia. What is going to happen to me now?

Wait a minute! I was due for retirement, right? Why did the military take me to see Dusty's family and not leave me there? I belong with them in Mississippi not here in Georgia. There is something very wrong with this picture!

The Lee family adopting me would not be too much to ask considering they will never again see their son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend. Adopting me will keep a big part of Dusty's life alive for them and for me. It will enable Dusty's family to experience what he already knew about me. I loved and protected him everywhere we went and even on the battlefield in Iraq. It's time the U.S. Marine Corps allowed Dustin's family to adopt me. I'm not a young pup anymore, you know! I'9m of retirement age and I want to spend the rest of my life with the Lee family. It's where I now belong!

So please help the Lee family adopt me!

Lex
German Shepherd Dog
Military Working Dog
U.S. Marine Corps

Pass the word, please post on your blogs and get the message out and sign the petition to help retire Lex to Dustin's family.

1296 signatures as of November 16, 2007 @ 04:45 am

Help get Lex home where he belongs

Thought I would share a very tear jerking story with you..All they want is the last piece of their son's life that is still alive, and by adopting Lex it will bring back a small part of Dustin and maybe a smile and laugh that they have not had in months...


PART OF HIM

"Most of you probably know by now who CPl Dustin Jerome Lee is. For those of you who do not, please take the time to read a little more about him and view photos of him at Remember CPL Dustin Lee

In a nutshell-

Dustin was a K9 War Dog Handler and MP who was killed in Iraq on March 21 2007. His K9 Lex survived but with injuries.

He received shrapnel wounds to his body, almost lost his tail, and to this day still has shrapnel lodged near his spine. The Veterinarians opted to leave this shrapnel in place as to not risk damage to Lex's spine.

Since Dustin's death the family has tried diligently to get Lex adopted to them so that they may care for him. Lex was of course the last (person) to see Dustin alive.

Even before the incident of the RPG that killed Dustin, Lex was destined to retire upon returing from this tour in Iraq. The family has waited patiently for the last remaining part of Dustin to arrive home...and they are still waiting.

Rachel (CPL Lee's Mother) with Lex

Today is Oct 15, 2007. Seven Months after the incident and no Lex. I know there is government bureaucracy and paperwork, but all that was done...finished and turned over the proper personnel. They feverishly worked around the clock, made phone calls, sent emails, contacted all the right people....Lex is still not home. They jumped through all the right hoops and answered all the right questions to be able to adobt Lex.

Instead the Marine Corps has decided that Lex did not need to retire and is instead located at the kennels at MCLB Albany, Georgia, back in training.

Can you imagine how heart broken and distraught this made the family once they found out they where not getting Lex for possibly 2 more years or until they where done with him? Rachel and Jerome can not have their son back, they gave him up to the Marine Corps and he was killed in the fight against terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freeedom. Why not retire Lex to Dustin's family? I think its the least the Marine Corp could offer. They do not want to replace Dustin, they just want the last piece of his life that is still alive. And by adopting Lex it will bring back a small part of Dustin and maybe a smile and laugh that they have not had in months.

They say that Lex is needed to train other K9s and handlers there at MCLB Albany. As far I know that shrapnel is still located in his back while he trains.. We can all understand that Lex may be an asset to the Kennel in training, and is a great, obedient companion, but how long until the damage that he sustained in the blast catches up with him. Lex desreves a nice home to retire to and a family that will love and take care of him.

Dustin's family are not strangers to handling K9s. Rachel, herself trained with Search and Rescue K9s. So its not like the family is unfamiliar in having to deal with trained K9s....Dustin recieved his love of dogs from somewhere right?

So I am asking everyone that knows of Dustin and Lex's story to send your comments to me. Write them here on the blog, email me, how ever you can....Give me your thoughts and opinions and we will do our best to get Lex to Dustin's parents.

Brian Rich,
Cpl Lee's Uncle and Former Marine."

AN AMERICAN HERO

I stop by In Memory of Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee's site daily, not because this young fallen Marine shares my last name, but because I look forward to seeing what his uncle and Mom have written. This morning when I clicked on, here is what I found and wanted to share with you:

"Take a long look at the pictures on this site. The pictures on this site is what an American Hero looks like. He didn't wear a sports uniform. He didn't wear a tailored suit that only a politician can squeeze into. He didn't discover a cure for cancer. He did not sit behind a microphone in a radio booth playing the role of an "armchair grunt".

Cpl Dustin J. Lee was a United States Marine War Dog Handler who served his country with honor and dignity. He loved serving his country and he loved being a Marine Corps War Dog Handler. During OIF Dustin and his partner Lex went on missions day after day making sure that his fellow marines, contract workers and Iraqi civilians where safe from the cowardly IED's and ambushes of Iraqi(or Iranian)non-military-terrorist cowards (also known as insurgents). We know that the work of Dustin and his dog Lex saved the lives of many.

What type of person does this? What kind of person is willing to lay down his life for people he does not know or will ever know? The answer is a US Soldier or Marine. Dustin Lee was one of those men.

On March 21, 2007 he gave his life to ensure that our freedoms are kept and that we remain safe while in our own little worlds. As far as I'm concerned he took that shrapnel to his chest so that maybe my kids, or your kids would not have to in the future. .

Dustin was a Hero and was the poster-child of what a Marine should be and how one shoud act. He loved his God, His Country, and the Corps, and he loved them in that order.

He was more of a man at 20 years of age than I will be at 90 years. I can only wish to uphold his legacy so that he will never be forgotten

Dustin- Thank you.
Semer Fi

Uncle B "

Thanks for sharing a part of your life with us.

A Mother’s Renewed Freedom

In Memory of Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee is a poem written by a soldier's Mom in Mississippi who lost her son on March 21, 2007 in Iraq.

A Mother’s Renewed Freedom

On March 21, 2007, a mother’s life changed forever;
And tears fell down her cheek.
Her first born gave his life for her freedom;
And tears fell down her cheek.
She hit her knees to pray, "How could this be?"
And tears fell down her cheek.
Her pride for her country began to stray;
And tears fell down her cheek.
Memories that built her son and soldier began to stir;
And tears fell down her cheek.
Lord, remind me of why he was there?
And tears fell down her cheek;
A blanket of comfort wrapped around her;
Then her tears dried.
His voice spoke, "I need him for another mission, for he has been trained well.
He showed commitment and self-determination of his individual will,
Coupled with concern for liberties of others and continued his service to Me."
The foundation had been set and she began to remember:
A little boy who embellished Bible stories told by his grandmother and WWII stories told by his grandfather;
Within his strong hands the Bible he carried to study and the helmet he had held once admiring the strength of his fallen great-great uncle in Vietnam;
Being gentle with a small puppy, but strong and without fear handling a Military Working Dog.
Little feet that carried him to the altar to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior; also, once wore military boots of his dad, grandfather and uncles, then he wore his own;
One who prayed each day to receive strength to serve his Lord,
As well as, reminding himself of the oath he had taken as a United States Marine.
She remembered the original feeling of pride, power and freedom that only intensified
As she watched a flag draped casket that cradled her first born emerge from a plane;
The mother’s pride of her country; then, took a new light.
His Voice spoke to her, "Continue to be strong,
For once you knew about freedom and liberty in which you have,
Now, you will only grow because of what he and I have taught you."
She began to notice all with a different sight,
A sight that comes from her heart filled with an overflowing amount of love for her country’s freedom and liberties.
A mother’s freedom renewed
Through God’s Light and her Fallen Hero, her son, Dusty.

In loving memory of:
United States Marine Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee - K9 Unit - 3rd Recon Battalion
Killed in Action - Operation Iraqi Freedom – 21 March 21, 2007
Written by: Rachel Lee - Proud Mother of Dustin
June 28, 2007

Dustin Lee's Homecoming Video

Grab a tissue, cause you will need it for this one. Several months ago, I had the honor of attending the funeral of a soldier who was killed in Iraq. The Mississippi Patriot Guard Riders along with hundreds of Law Enforcement Officers from across the state of Mississippi made sure that he had the proper Homecoming.

Dustin's family started a blog called In Memory of Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee shortly after Dustin was killed in Iraq, and I periodically check to see if they have posted anymore pictures, and this morning I realized that they has put up a new video, and it is a must see. It's long, but very well worth it, so grab your box of tissues as you will definately need them and if you have time, please stop by and leave Dustin's family a short note on their blog @ In Memory of Cpl Dustin Jerome Lee.

Decals honoring one of MS's Heroes

Decals honoring one of Mississippi's fallen HEROES, Dustin Lee are now available. The money that is raised is to help pay for the Stonewall, MS Fallen Soldiers Memorial Fund to purchase a Bronz Monument. The monument will represent those soldiers who have fallen from WWII to present.

MISSISSIPPI MARINE LAYED TO REST TODAY

REST IN PEACE
CPL DUSTIN JEROME LEE
APRIL 7, 1986 - MARCH 21, 2007

VIDEO

It's been a long day. We headed out this morning at 0530 am and I did not get back home until 5:15 pm tonight. Round trip was just a few miles shy of 300 miles. Tiring, but would do it again in a heartbeat.

Talk about two small towns full of love for one Marine. Stonewall and Quitman Mississippi showed just how much CPL Dustin Lee meant to them today. It was very obvious that these two towns dearly loved Dustin.

This was CPL Lee's partner in Iraq. He was not too seriously injured in the mortar attack that took CPL Lee's life.

This dog was also assigned to work with CPT Lee, but was was retired from the United States Marine Corps' K-9 Unit due to his eye site. He now lives with CPL Lee's family.

21 Gun Salute

I counted 108 motorcycles, and stopped counting the law enforcement vehicles at 153. CPL Lee's father is on the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and they sure showed today by coming out and paying tribute to one of Mississippi's finest.

The Assembly of God Church in Stonewall, Mississippi and the Mississippi Highway Patrol made sure that the Patriot Guard Riders had a wonderful meal before we headed back on our long journey's home.

MISSISSIPPI MARINE KILLED IN IRAQ

A part of my heart is filled with sorry today after learning that another Mississippi soldier has been killed in Iraq. CPL Dustin Jerome Lee, MP with the K-9 Unit which is attached to the 314th "G" Battery, 4th Platoon, US Marines. of Quitman, Mississippi was killed on Wednesday in Iraq in a mortar attack on his base.

The family has requested the presence of the Patriot Guard and we are standing by to render honors to this warrior.

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of CPL Lee. May you rest in peace. You will not be forgotten. You are and will remain a True American Hero.