SHOSHANA JOHNSON TO HELP RING IN NY IN TIMES SQUARE

ABC network news

[cyborg]

Just heard that Shoshana Johnson is going to help ring in the NY in Times Square with Mayor Bloomberg. Will post more info if I find any.

[cyborg]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/031218/480/xnyr70212181946

[Incorrigible]

A very tough and brave woman.

 

 

 

Posted on Fri, Dec. 12, 2003

Former POW Shoshana Johnson Leaves Army

CHRIS ROBERTS Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas - Shoshana Johnson, who spent 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq after being shot during an ambush, was discharged from the Army on Friday.

"Although I am now leaving the Army, I in no way regret my time in the military," Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson was a cook for the 507th Maintenance Company when it was ambushed in March. She was shot in both ankles and captured with five other soldiers, including Jessica Lynch. Nine soldiers died in the ambush.

"To my fallen comrades and their families, my utmost respect, and gratitude for their sacrifices," Johnson said. "Their memory has made me a better person and they will not be forgotten."

Army officials said Friday that Johnson was being discharged. Calls to the Johnson family and Army officials seeking further comment on her status were not returned Friday.

Johnson, who served for five years, has said the decision to leave was tough. She had planned to spend 20 years in the military like her father, who served in the Gulf War and retired from the Army in 1999.

Johnson was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the Prisoner of War Medal for her service in Iraq.

In October, her father accused the Army of unfair treatment after a medical board offered her a smaller disability paycheck than Lynch. Claude Johnson said the financial support Lynch is getting should be provided equally to all soldiers injured in the line of duty.

Family members confirmed that Lynch, snatched from her Iraqi captors on April 1 in a special forces rescue, is receiving an 80 percent disability. Shoshana Johnson, released April 13 with four other American POWs, has been offered 30 percent, Claude Johnson said.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who consulted the Johnson family, said in October that race was playing a part in Army's decision. Lynch is white; Johnson is black.

Army officials said at the time that Shoshana Johnson's payment can be appealed and that race was not an issue.

Military officials said Lynch was hurt after her Humvee was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed into another vehicle. She suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries and it was four months before she could walk again.

Shoshana Johnson still periodically uses a walking cast, has a hard time staying on her feet for any period of time and isn't sleeping well, her father said in October. She was shown in an Iraqi video fearfully watching her captors as they peppered her and the other POWs with questions.

[John Beresford Tipton]

Though I saw her only on Leon she made
a very good impression. A very classy lady.

[Huck]

I should crawl out from under my rock sometime. I've never heard of this person.

[cyborg]

I agree. I thought she was classy. I'm glad she's being recognized for a change.

[Incorrigible]

Oh yes you have, see post #3.

[cyborg]

It's okay because no one else in general (except here on FR) knew who she was after the media started their obsessive coverage of 'the other girl'.

[firebrand]

Bloombird does second thing right. (I'm counting this, and when he called duct tape preposterous.)

[cyborg]

LOL... wonder if he can import Joe Clark from NJ and put him in charge of the schools.

[firebrand]

He should have put Herman Badillo in charge of the schools.

[Republicus2001]

and who is this personage? anyone we know?

[Sacajaweau]

I saw her on Leno, too. Quite a lady!!!!!

[cyborg]

Not in NY state but she was one of the POWs rescued in Iraq.

[cyborg]

It does come down to parental responsibility for their children. Even with Joe Clark, a lot of the parents in Patterson conspired against him.

I don't want to see apologies, want to see action. I'm getting sick of seeing students/teachers in the papers talkj about getting beaten and maimed in school.

Out with the old, in the new in the New Year.

[newgeezer]

If I never hear or see the name "Jessica Lynch" in the media again, it will be too soon.

[newgeezer]

The vertical scroll bar is your friend. Use it. :-)

[firebrand]

The parents can't really do much when their kids walk into an out-of-control situation every morning. We need to stop being so PC and get military on these kids. Not only uniforms, but drill practice before class. Can you imagine the screams? But it would work.

[cyborg]

Actually what made me think of schools with Shoshana Johnson is how they're trying to get rid of junior rotc, civil air patrol,etc. They don't want recruiters attending high school college fairs. Oh well... I can't say I envy the job of mayor.

[Catspaw]

Good for her! I'm glad our POWs are being honored.