"I'm doing OK. I have a lot of support from my family," Johnson told NBC 10 News.Posted on 01/14/2004 5:44:04 AM PST by milemark
Former POW, Shoshana Johnson, Visits Philadelphia
Johnson Shot In Ankles During Captivity
4:36 PM EST January 9, 2004
PHILADELPHIA -- Former prisoner of war, Shoshana Johnson spent more than three weeks being held in Iraq. Friday, she visited Philadelphia and NBC 10 reporter Joe Vasquez got a chance to talk to her about her ordeal and life after the Army.
"I'm doing OK. I have a lot of support from my family," Johnson told NBC 10 News.
Johnson is still recovering after being shot in both ankles in Iraq.
Today she has a sparkle in her eye and a smile on her face, but when the American public first saw Johnson, it was in a video shot by her Iraqi captors.
"I hate that video ... You see how I look?" Johnson laughed.
Johnson was in town for a promotional appearance and an appearance on the 10! Show. She said she is now embracing life and the many Americans who continue to express their gratitude.
"They'll come up and thank me for my service. And 'we're glad we got you home,' and mostly I ask them to continue to pray for the soldiers that are over there," Johnson said.
Johnson has recently won a controversial battle after leaving the service. While her colleague, Jessica Lynch, was scheduled to receive 80-percent disability for her injuries, Johnson was only scheduled to get 30 percent. Johnson said she deserved more and her family suggested race might be a factor. The Army has since changed its mind and has increased her disability to 50 percent.
"It wasn't a comparison between me and Jessica. Her injuries were so much more severe. She deserved more. I just felt that I deserved more than 30 percent," Johnson said.
Since her recent military retirement, Johnson has kept very busy. She dropped the New Year's ball in Times Square, and Thursday night the Philadelphia Flyers presented her with a jersey with her name on the back.
"The crowd was just wonderful. It was unbelievable," Johnson said.
Johnson's story could soon end up in a book and she said she is also negotiating a movie deal.
While her colleague, Jessica Lynch, was scheduled to receive 80-percent disability for her injuries, Johnson was only scheduled to get 30 percent. Johnson said she deserved more and her family suggested race might be a factor. The Army has since changed its mind and has increased her disability to 50 percent.
"It wasn't a comparison between me and Jessica. Her injuries were so much more severe. She deserved more. I just felt that I deserved more than 30 percent," Johnson said.
Gee, je$$ie hijack$on said it was because she was black. Now, why would he say such a thing?
Johnson's story could soon end up in a book and she said she is also negotiating a movie deal.
Well now, Jessica Lynch was ripped to shreds over "her" movie that she wasn't even involved in or paid for and her modest $500,000.00 book deal. I wonder if there will be similar wrath for Shoshana? Not that 2 wrongs make a right, but it will be very informative to see the different reactions, if any.
Really. I think they think that only people like O'Reilly should write books. I'm glad to see interest in our soldier's experiences is high enough to make movies and have books written about them. Maybe Miller can write one too when he is discharged. Shoshana seems like a really good person, it's too bad Jesse Jackass used her.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.