Posted on 05/06/2006 1:48:16 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Three years after her capture and dramatic nighttime rescue in the early days of the Iraq war made her an instant celebrity, Jessica Lynch yearns for the ordinary.
She's just finished her first year at West Virginia University, where she's become an anonymous college student on a campus of thousands.
"I think people recognize who I am; they just don't make it obvious," Lynch, 23, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
"That's good for me because it gives me the opportunity to blend in and not stick out and really experience the college life just like they are."
Lynch, who joined the Army at 18 to see the world and earn money for college, attends WVU on a state scholarship. She grew up wanting to be a kindergarten teacher, but abandoned that idea after taking one education class.
"I haven't really found my direction of where I'm headed right now with everything I've been through," she said.
She changed her major to journalism because of her experience with the media and spends Wednesdays working at the campus radio station. Still, she's not sure if journalism is in her future.
"I enjoy broadcasting and I know I want to do something with children," she said. "I'd really like to start a kids TV program here in West Virginia. Something for kids who are in the hospital or have cancer."
Lynch's 507th Army Maintenance Company convoy was in Nasiriyah on March 23, 2003, when it took a wrong turn and was attacked. Eleven American soldiers were killed and six were captured, including Lynch.
The former supply clerk suffered extensive injuries when her Humvee crashed during the firefight. Her videotaped rescue from Saddam Hospital by U.S. special forces nine days later transformed the soft-spoken woman into a hero.
She still has no feeling in her left leg and has to wear a brace to support her foot because of nerve damage. And Lynch says she still can't remember the events that filled the two hours after her convoy was hit.
"Right now, I have sort of this image of what could have happened," she said. "If I actually knew and it came back, I probably would have nightmares for the rest of my life."
Though she was once engaged to former Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras, she now has a new boyfriend in Parkersburg. She protects details about her private life, saying only she met him through family.
Lynch spends most of the week on campus, but often leaves town on weekends to visit her boyfriend or her parents.
"I want people to remember me as being a soldier who went over there and did my job fighting for our country, our freedom. Nothing special. ... I'm just a country girl at heart."
I see you have some new insider information.
Can you tell me how she got from that truck she crashed in to the Humvee where others were fighting and driving. After that how did she get back into the truck's cab where she was dragged out by the bad guys?
Is this the same David Hackworth who was screaming on a secure phone asking Carter for permission to withdraw after his Iran hostage mission went to hell in a handbasket?
Darn, communicating through typing is difficult, I understand now, I think.
By the way it isn't easy to criticize what appears to be a sweet all American girl.
I tell people the best women you'll ever see as a group are in the military, but they don't belong there. (with obvious exceptions of course as was the case 50 years ago,finance,nursing etc.)
I think you're thinking of Beckwith, not Hackworth. A couple of the letters are the same, though.
I think we mostly agree.
You WANT every woman to be capable and think they could be if the Army would only treat them like the men and expect and demand what they USED to demand of the men. Is that right?
I am glad to read news of Jessica Lynch. I have always wished her well and thank her for her service to this country. She obviously possessed a great amount of spunk to join the military in the first place. I know she will make a great future for herself.
In her own words, she joined the Military to get money for college. She achieved her objective. Kudos to her for not refusing to deploy to Iraq like some of her male counterparts.
You have got to be kidding.......
"You WANT every woman to be capable and think they could be if the Army would only treat them like the men and expect and demand what they USED to demand of the men. Is that right?"
No
Well, that's a damn shame.
Thank you for your service. My son is also a medic.
I wish her nothing but the best from here on out. Thanks for the thread.
Or she could have been someone who wasn't that crazy about all the attention her rescue brought and was a bit embarrassed by it all.
"Is this the same David Hackworth who was screaming on a secure phone asking Carter for permission to withdraw after his Iran hostage mission went to hell in a handbasket?"
"Let there be no doubt: David Hackworth is a war hero. In 1944, when he was a 14-year-old orphan, Hackworth faked his way into the U.S. Merchant Marine. At 16, he was a U.S. Army private, fighting Yugoslav partisans on the Italian border. At 20, he won a battlefield commission in Korea, then commanded a savage and brilliant Army Raiders unit that wreaked havoc on the North Koreans and Chinese. When he left the Army in 1971, he was the youngest full colonel in Vietnam, winner of eight Purple Hearts, nine Silver Stars, eight Bronze Stars, four Army Commendation Medals, four Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a chestful of other medals. Today Hackworth calls himself--often--"America's most decorated living soldier."
You're thinking of "Chargin Charlie" Beckwith, one of the greatest commandos America ever produced.
He is the man that created Delta Force.
Moving our Wounded Warriors is one of the greatest AF missions. I am proud to be able to do it........
Lay off Jessica.
She has handled her situation about as good as possible. In the very few times I have actually seen her, she has been quite dignified and respectful. For some reason you seem to see her as a pathetic figure. That's not right and it's mean.
As far as freezing in combat, it wouldn't surprise me. I've seen receptionists her age freeze up when more than one line rings at once.
"while everyone else on the Humvee was fighting or driving
I see you have some new insider information.
Can you tell me how she got from that truck she crashed in to the Humvee where others were fighting and driving. After that how did she get back into the truck's cab where she was dragged out by the bad guys?"
The report also will show that the company's senior enlisted soldier, 1st Sgt. Robert Dowdy, worked furiously to reorganize the 507th 13-vehicle convoy so it could make a retreat. Traveling in Pfc. Piestewa's Humvee, Sgt. Dowdy stopped, got out of the vehicle and tried to motivate other soldiers. Two soldiers whose truck was disabled got into the Humvee with Sgt. Dowdy and the two female soldiers.
Woo-Hoo! Is she ever cute or what?
Sorry, then I misunderstood.
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