It was only a matter of time before the Lee family got their first piece of "hate" mail. This person is outraged that we took a good working dog out of service "that could save lives" in Iraq.
I probably should not give this person the privlege of being on the same blog as Lex but here goes- It needs to be addressed.
I can not tell if this person has lost a family member(s) in the war or not. It is vague in how it is worded. If they have lost someone in the war, then i am truly sorry for their loss, but to write this letter and send via mail is out of line.
To send a letter like this to a still grieving parent is very low and self righteous.
First let me give everyone some facts....again about Lex.
1).Lex was injured- He can no longer serve in a war or hostile environment. He is non-deployable. The shrapnel that Lex still carries around in himself, keeps him from being able to fly at high altitudes, so he would never go on another tour.
2) "2 more good years".. lets address that...The Marine Corps may have said they pulled a healthy dog from service... but that is not completely true because of the above stated reasons of number 1. Lex is healthy in the fact that he is alive, but Lex is not healthy to serve his country anymore. So therefore Lex would have not saved any more lives in Iraq. Lex would have set in a kennel staring at a concrete wall until it was his time to go into the dog run and do his business.
3) Some people may have suggested that Lex could train other dogs or handlers. Dogs do not train other dogs or handlers. It is the other way around.
4) Lex was already showing signs of depression and was having difficulty in training. (more info you don't get on the news)
So without further adieu, here is the letter sent to Rachel and Jerome
Mr. and Mrs. Lee,
I live here in Albany and have been watching your story on TV. I think
it is very selfish of you to take Lex out of his service of duty early. I have
a nephew in Iraq and a son in the Army, Lex could've been available to save
their lives, could he not? Although I feel for you for losing your son, you
are not the only ones that has lost a soldier, and sadly you are not the last.
Lex had two more good years, that's ALOT of lives he could've saved, I'm sorry you
couldn't see clearly enough to wait two years so that maybe... someone else's
soldier could've made it home safely.
Regards.
C. YorkC. York, if you have lost a loved one in this war I am truly sorry because our family knows what you have gone through, the same as the other 3,945 families whom have lost someone in this war.
You have your opinion and I am sorry that you see this wonderful act on behalf of the Marine Corps as a mistake. To us it a blessing. And I will leave it at that.
Kindest regards
Brian Rich
