Jessica Lynch Welcomes Kin With Big Smile

Guardian Unlimited ^ | April 6, 2003

[flutters]

LANDSTUHL, Germany (AP) - After everything she's been through - an Iraqi ambush, a daring rescue, and several surgeries - Pfc. Jessica Lynch had nothing but smiles for her family during a long-awaited reunion Sunday.

Her parents, two siblings and a cousin paid Lynch two brief visits after their early morning arrival from West Virginia, said U.S. military officials at the U.S. military's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in southwestern Germany.

``Lynch had a big smile on her face when her parents arrived,'' the hospital said in a statement.

Lynch, a 19-year-old supply clerk, was in stable condition in the intensive care unit, where she was being treated for a head wound, an injury to her spine, and fractures to her right arm, both legs, her right foot and ankle.

The hospital also confirmed the possibility that gunshots may have caused fractures to the upper right arm and lower left leg. The hospital commander, Col. David Rubenstein, previously said no entry or exit wounds consistent with gunshot wounds had been found.

``The medical staff says, after more closely examining those wounds, there is a possibility they were caused by a low velocity, small caliber weapon,'' the a statement said, stressing treatment would have been the same no matter what the cause.

Lynch underwent back surgery Thursday was to correct a slipped vertebra that was putting pressure on her spinal cord. Since then, she has undergone several more surgeries to stabilize the fractures, the hospital said.

Doctors have said the prognosis for Lynch's full recovery were excellent.

Lynch was rescued Tuesday from a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah by a team of Navy SEALs, Marine commandos, Air Force pilots and Army Rangers.

The commandos found her after an Iraqi lawyer saw Lynch being slapped by a security guard in the hospital, and alerted U.S. forces.

While troops engaged the Iraqis in another part of the city, the rescue team persuaded an Iraqi doctor to lead them to Lynch, who had been held since her unit was ambushed a week earlier.

The commandos who rescued Lynch also unearthed nine bodies from a nearby burial site, eight of whom were identified as members of Lynch's unit.

The ninth was a soldier from a forward support group of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division. All have been transported back to the United States.

Lynch's parents only learned of the deaths of other members of her unit just before departing for Germany. Among them was Lynch's friend and former roommate, Pfc. Lori Piestewa, who became the first American servicewoman killed in the war.

``Our hearts are really saddened for her other troop members and the other families,'' Lynch's father, Gregory Lynch Sr., managed to say before choking up.

Piestewa was a member of the Hopi Tribe, whose reservation is near the Navajo Reservation community of Tuba City, Ariz. She was a 23-year-old single mother raising a 4-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl.

``Our prayers are with the Lynch family,'' said Wayne Taylor Jr., chairman of the Hopi Tribe. ``We thank God that she survived her ordeal. Her bravery speaks volumes of her character and we wish her a continued speedy recovery.''

[ConservativeMan55]

Tom Daschle is deeply saddened.

[EaglesUpForever]

What a great individual her father is, and not because he's particularly unique, it's just that compared to the UNMITIGATED SLIME like Clinton and Daschle that we've been subjected to as "leaders", basic Americans with human values like love of country shine like superstars.

[litany_of_lies]

Is the headline (using "kin," a not very frequently used word in the UK, I believe) a way to take a slap at her family and the state of WV? I think so.

[flutters]

I want to add this press release. It's one of the few times I agree with a Dem.

http://rockefeller.senate.gov/2003/pr040203.html

ROCKEFELLER SPEAKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR OF PFC. JESSICA LYNCH’S MIRACULOUS RESCUE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This afternoon on the floor of the Senate, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) spoke to his colleagues about the miraculous rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch. The following is the text of the speech.

"Last night, in one of the most heroic operations of this conflict, US forces extracted Private First Class Jessica Lynch of West Virginia from captivity in an Iraqi hospital near Nasiriya and returned her to American custody. Private Lynch was originally listed as Missing in Action when her unit, the Army’s 507th Ordnance Maintenance Company, came under attack last Sunday as the Third Infantry Division moved north toward Baghdad. Private Lynch was removed from the Iraqi hospital on a stretcher last night, but she is in good spirits, and has been flown to Ramstein Air Base in Germany where she will receive the best possible care.

"Today is a day of great rejoicing for Private Lynch, for her parents Greg and Dee, for the rest of her family and friends, and for all West Virginians – and indeed for all Americans. Jessica Lynch’s rescue is nothing short of a miracle. This operation is a tribute to the skill and heroism of our soldiers. It is further evidence that American intelligence on Iraqi operations is playing an increasingly vital role in our military effort. This also sends an important message to every member of the US military: we take care of our people, and will do everything we can to get them back.

"Private Lynch’s story has also given all of America the opportunity to get to know one fine young woman from Palestine, West Virginia. We’ve learned what brought Jessica to enlist in the Army, how much she has valued the opportunity to serve our nation, and how she approached the prospect of combat with determination rather than fear. We’ve learned how her original career goal was to be a teacher, and even as she shipped overseas she arranged to be pen pals with a kindergarten class back in Palestine, to help American children get a better understanding of the war they were seeing on tv. We learned that given her interest in children, Jessica was a little frustrated by orders to be careful of helping Iraqi children because they might be a decoy or trap. We’ve learned that she is well known and well liked throughout Palestine, a friendly, proud community that struggles to offer a promising future to its sons and daughters.

"These details are inspiring, and unique. In many ways, Jessica’s story is particularly representative of West Virginia, a state that has always contributed more than our fair share of America’s armed forces. But Jessica’s story is also, in a way, representative of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are currently serving in the Middle East, making sacrifices so that we can continue to enjoy our freedom. Jessica Lynch has made us see beyond the uniforms, and realize that these extraordinarily skilled soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors we are seeing on tv aren’t just the most powerful fighting force the world has ever known. They are our neighbors. They share our concerns, our morals, our ambitions. And they are demonstrating the courage, the strength and the skill that we hope we would have if we were put in similar circumstances.

"Jessica Lynch has educated us about the young men and women we are fighting for us in Iraq; in that sense, her career as a teacher has already begun.

"The most difficult part of the war is before us, as our forces close in on Baghdad. We pray for the souls of the two soldiers in Jessica’s unit who were killed in action. And we pray for the safe return of all the others -- the five who are confirmed as POWs, and the other seven who are still listed as missing in action.

"For now, however, we can rejoice in the miracle of Jessica Lynch’s rescue. I’d like to join all members of Senate in offering my warmest congratulations to Private Lynch, to the soldiers who rescued her, to the Lynch family, and to all the residents of Palestine. Jessica Lynch’s story has lifted our hearts, and her rescue is a cause for rejoicing throughout the land."

[tubebender]

Thanks for the latest on Jessica.

[flutters]

Is the headline (using "kin," a not very frequently used word in the UK, I believe) a way to take a slap at her family and the state of WV? I think so.

I don't think so. I'm originally from the area and use the term frequently. I don't take offense to it.

[The FRugitive]

Pfc. Lori Piestewa

Lynch's friend and former roommate, Pfc. Lori Piestewa, who became the first American servicewoman killed in the war.

Piestewa was a member of the Hopi Tribe, whose reservation is near the Navajo Reservation community of Tuba City, Ariz. She was a 23-year-old single mother raising a 4-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl.

``Our prayers are with the Lynch family,'' said Wayne Taylor Jr., chairman of the Hopi Tribe. ``We thank God that she survived her ordeal. Her bravery speaks volumes of her character and we wish her a continued speedy recovery.''

[whadizit]

Tom Daschle is deeply saddened."

No, he is "concerned".

[ConservativeMan55]

He flip flops so much these days I can never tell whether he is deeply saddened, concerned, angry, loony, etc.

[1066AD]

No, it isn't anything but a headline.

[dts32041]

Wonder why we haven't heard from JF Kerry, war hero about his company's loaning the plane to taje the Kynch's to germany.

[GOP_Proud]

< Is the headline (using "kin," a not very frequently used word in the UK, I believe) a way to take a slap at her family and the state of WV? I think so. >

I'm a West Virginian and I'd prefer to take it as just meaning "relatives". I can't assume someone's intentions from just reading a headline. Right now, in WV, we are so proud of this young person that we don't have time to take offense...or maybe we're just so damn used to the slights we just let it go.

[McGavin999]

Since Lori was from Tuba City I have no doubts she was a fine woman. Her children will be taken care of by the elders. I hope someone here in Arizona starts a fund for their education, I know I'd contribute.

[jla]

I don't know if you've been reading the articles about Miss Lynch.
I figured you'd like to though, they're very poignant as well as uplifting.

[Tennessee_Bob]

I'm a West Virginian and I'd prefer to take it as just meaning "relatives".

Native Texan here, now a Tennesseean, and I'd be proud to call her my kin. Seems that some folks around here have forgotten parts of their native tongue - kith and kin for example. Besides, the word kin takes up less space in a headline than "family."

[NEPA]

Regarding an education fund for Lori P.'s kids:

Last I heard the military life insurance policies were $250,000. They aren't required and can be left to anyone the soldier chooses, but in all probability a soldier going off to war would have provided for her kids just in case.

[dwilli]

You and JFK are probably the only ones who think that The H.J. Heinz corp is his company.

[Chemist_Geek]

Last I heard the military life insurance policies were $250,000. They aren't required and can be left to anyone the soldier chooses, but in all probability a soldier going off to war would have provided for her kids just in case.

Nonetheless, I hope (and would contribute!) that her children and all the children of Coalition casualties are properly cared for, through both government and private efforts.

n.b. We're already going to care for the Iraqi orphans along with the whole rest of that poor, suffering people.

[buickmackane]

We’ve learned that she is well known and well liked throughout Palestine, a friendly, proud community that struggles to offer a promising future to its sons and daughters.

I find this comment of particular interest. I read in another thread that Jessica's father had commented that the reason Jessica enlisted was because there was no future for her in Palestine. Mr. Lynch said that they might have been able to put Jessica through college with great difficulty, but there wasn't much else for people her age to do except work in the local fast-food restaurants. This is why they supported the decision Jessica and her brother both made to enlist.

My heart really sank when I read this. Imagine being so desperate to get a college education that you're willing to put your life on the line for it. The fast-food statement was corroborated in another interview, with a specific mention of Jessica hanging out at a Pizza Hut with her best friend who's already married with a baby. Jessica made a bold and brave decision to improve her lot in life. I only wish I could meet Jessica to thank her in person for the sacrifices she made to defend our country.

[EverOnward]

Thank you for posting the picture of Pfc. Lori Piestewa. I saved it so that I can paint a portrait of this brave, lovely woman.

[dts32041]

Well his wife owns it but he is associated with it, via marriage, of course she isn't giving him any money for the presidental run.

All I wnated to know was why the press hasn't asked what his influence was?

[NEPA]

Nonetheless, I hope (and would contribute!) that her children and all the children of Coalition casualties are properly cared for, through both government and private efforts.

I'm sure they'll be ok. And I'm glad so many of these kids won't have to depend entirely on gov't bennies. How they fare will to some degree depend on what their standard of living was before. They'll have life insurance, social security, and veterans' survivor benefits.

My father died when I was 12. When we got SS and a small VA benefit we were actually better off financially, though it didn't take much to improve our station in life.

I'm not worried about these kids financially. But the emotional pain they're going through breaks my heart.

[dwilli]

My meager knowledge of the Heinz Corp is that are big time
givers to the Pittsburg charities among others. The community of Palistine WV is no more than a couple of hours
from the Burg down I-79. I doubt that this is a political
move even tho JFK11 wouldn't be above it.

[gcruse]

. Imagine being so desperate to get a college education that you're willing to put your life on the line for it.

I'd be careful with that line of thought.  The Dems are already saying that we have a de facto military draft because people who go into the service because of the economy are not volunteers.

[whadizit]

LOL!! One thing is for certain....he is never, ever happy!

[The FRugitive]

Yes, no problem.

If you have a digital camera I would love to see it when you've completed it.

Here are is another picture: