Posted on 08/07/2005 7:34:59 PM PDT by BenLurkin
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch says she is a bit nervous about starting college this fall, but she doesn't want any special attention.
``I have to say I am a little nervous the freshmen that I'll be with were eighth-graders when I graduated from high school,'' Lynch told Time magazine in an interview for the Aug. 15 issue.
The 22-year-old former Army supply clerk, who now walks with a cane because of her Iraq war injuries, said she wants to blend in as much as possible at West Virginia University in Morgantown.
``It was hard getting stopped all the time when I wasn't used to it. It doesn't bother me now. But I don't want any special attention drawn to me,'' said Lynch, who hopes to become a kindergarten teacher.
Lynch's 507th Army Maintenance Company convoy was in the Iraqi town of Nasiriyah in March 2003 when it took a wrong turn and was attacked. Eleven American soldiers were killed and six were captured, including Lynch.
She suffered two spinal fractures, nerve damage and a shattered right arm, right foot and left leg when her Humvee crashed during the firefight. The story and video of her rescue from an Iraqi hospital under the cover of dark made her an instant celebrity.
Lynch, a native of Palestine, W.Va., said she often thinks about the ambush and of her fellow comrades, including Army Spc. Lori Piestewa, who was killed.
``Last night there were fireworks going off outside our hotel in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. I have to literally see the fireworks,'' Lynch said. ``If I just hear them, they sound a little like gunshots or bombs it kind of puts you back there.''
The rest of us don't mind reading stories about young Americans who served their country.
Thank you. She stepped up and served. God Bless her.
You go, Jessica. America thanks you and all soldiers who serve.
Yes, there is a difference. So why would you hold her to YOUR standards, then?
Especially over a mistake SHE didn't make? I hope you can grow some as a leader, sir. Bless you for serving, truly, but geesh.
I agree!
First, I salute Jessica for her military service along with her insistence the is not a hero. But what galls me is this:
The U.S. Army awarded her the Bronze Star for distinguishing herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service.
1. Caught in ambush.
2. Some of her injuries were a result of the Humvee crash she was riding in.
3. Her weapon jammed because she failed to clean it.
4. All she did during the heat of battle, while still in the back of the vehicle, according to her, "...I lowered my head down to my knees, and I closed my eyes..." (while 11 in her group were killed during the firefight).
That's heroic or meritorious achievement or service?
To me this smacks of what is going wrong in our country. Dumbing down everything: Heroes, education, etc.. When the Lynch issue came out, I felt this was nothing but trying to make Lynch a Joan (John) Wayne-type. Sure enough! The truth came out. A Marine combat veteran in Iraq put it this way:
If Lynch deserves a Bronze Star (which she doesn't), then they (those engaged in daily combat) deserve a Medal of Honor. Lynch got a Bronze Star as a publicity stunt for the Army. She got it because she is a woman. It's just that simple. If she had been a man, no one would've cared. It is sad to see that in today's world of equality, in the 21st Century, such a thing would happen. Lynch is nothing but a publicity doll for the Army and an embarrassment to the United States military and the true heroes of our nation.
Other input:
She will now become the icon, the symbol of everything the radical feminists desire in completely 'feminizing' the U.S. military. They have their woman-in-combat heroine who will pave the way for some woman, sometime, to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - or maybe even the Commander in Chief. All for personal gain. All for the exercise of matriarchal political power in America. And all contributing to the reality of the deterioration of combat effectiveness, the loss of the 'warrior ethos' in our armed forces and, most importantly, a degradation of America's ability to defend itself when faced with an opponent other than a Third-World country.
Further reading: The Mythical Modern American War Hero.
If Jessica claims she is no hero, then I challenge her to return her Bronze Star.
Wrong!!! Where have you been? Wounded? Guess again.
Wrong!!! Where have you been? Wounded? Guess again.
Huh.
Shouldn't be a problem - I forgot all about her months ago.
I suspect that even if Ms. Lynch had tried to reject the Bronze Star that the Army wouldn't be above ordering her to accept it.
If you see me running, try to keep up.
But then, I design widgets. LOL.
Get off your high horse you arrogant jerk!
I hope sometime you get lost and in trouble and nobody goes and looks for you. You'd deserve it.
Did you ever "get through" reading comprehension? A 22 yr. old woman who must walk with the aid of a cane is starting college in the fall. From the headline, I gather that she is a bit self conscious about it. There is a list of her injuries in the article. Jessica could teach you a thing or two, I'd bet. She was the one who went through the ordeal and had her body broken, not you, Mr. Judge and Jury.
I get so steamed when people attack this girl. Jessica served her country and let the Army get some good, and badly needed, PR from it. Best wishes for Jessica!
I am surprised with the criticism of J. Lynch on this thread. I do not believe she sought out publicity or did I miss something.
In any event, I wish her well at W. Va.
I would also like to see more attention on our soldiers who have performed heroic deeds, such as Jason Dunham.
I think you've confused me with another poster. My description of her action was that she has served her country.
Prime, I'm hearing and reading lots of good "hero" stories these days. However, I don't think that's the issue here.
Lynch and her fellow soldiers were rescued by other brave men. It was international news. Stories at the time pointed out that she had joined the military so she could go to college, and that she wanted to be a teacher. A follow-up story that tells readers she is pursuing the dream is good.
When we gripe about everything, even a positive story like this one, it detracts from legitimate concerns.
Whatever one might think of Jessica Lynch, she DID do something that X42 NEVER did. she signed up and joined the US Armed Forces. She served with honor. X42 was a lying draft dodger who committed treason against the United States while abroad. IMHO, X42 should be in a federal prison serving a life term for that.
Good luck, Jessica in whatever you pursue.
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