In some devastating news from overseas, Cpl. Dustin Lee, a 20 year old Marine serving in Iraq was killed in a mortar attack. Beside him, Lex, an 8-year-old bomb-sniffing German Shepherd refused to leave his handler, Lee, after the attack, though Lex himself was gravely injured in the attack.

Although some shrapnel still remains in Lex’s body, he has since recovered from his wounds. Cpl. Lee’s father lobbied to adopt the dog, so that Lex could live out his life with Lee’s family as a retired Marine K9. On December 13, 2007 Lex was released from duty to live with Lee’s family. Lex’s release marks the first time the Marines have released a dog before retirement age (10 years of age).

For almost five months before the fatal attack Cpl. Lee and Lex were stationed in Falluja. Cpl. Dustin Lee had always had a connection with animals. After joining the Marines, Cpl. Lee, worked training military police dogs. At the base he worked training military K9’s, his skills led Cpl. Lee became the kennel master.

Now Lex is a member of his handler’s family, and they honor and remember Cpl. Lee through his companion, Lex. Let us honor and remember the fallen who serve our country and allow Lex and Cpl. Lee’s relationship to be a continued reminder to all of the unbreakable bond between man and dog, even in the most devastating of circumstances.

Click here to read the full article on CNN.

Image of Cpl. Dustin Lee and Lex via www.cnn.com

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