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First Female Black POW Speaks Out in Book
cbs ^ | WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2010 | unknown

Posted on 02/05/2010 6:12:09 PM PST by Redcitizen

(AP) Shoshana Johnson survived gunshot wounds to both legs and 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq. Life wasn't so easy when she came home, either.

In a new book out this week, the 37-year-old single mother describes mental health problems related to her captivity and tells how it felt to play second fiddle in the media to fellow POW Jessica Lynch, who was captured in the same ambush.

"It was kind of hurtful," the former Army cook said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "If I'd been a petite, cutesy thing, it would've been different."


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iraq; jessicalynch; military; militarywomen; nasiriyah; oifveterans; piestewa; pow; shoshanajohnson
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To: svcw

ttt


101 posted on 02/05/2010 10:24:25 PM PST by svcw (If you are going to quote the Bible know what you are quoting.)
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To: ansel12

Yes.


102 posted on 02/05/2010 10:30:20 PM PST by LucyJo (http://www.housetohouse.com/)
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To: ansel12

Mental Machine .WOOOHOOOO


103 posted on 02/05/2010 10:34:12 PM PST by fatima (Free Hugs Today :))
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To: ansel12

I can see your point: Sometimes the wrong people receive all the accolades. I haven’t followed this story, so I don’t know much about the POWs in this case. But, I wouldn’t blame any of them for accepting a pat on the back after being a POW. I’m not over there; they are. I’ve never served. (I’m a woman myself, btw.)

My only argument would be against the military or the people in power spreading a false story like they did in this case.


104 posted on 02/05/2010 10:39:07 PM PST by Tired of Taxes (Dad, I will always think of you.)
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To: Tired of Taxes; LucyJo

Make sure you read 94 by LucyJo she covers it pretty well.


105 posted on 02/05/2010 10:42:54 PM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: Tired of Taxes

That article provides a lot more insight.


106 posted on 02/05/2010 10:50:25 PM PST by LucyJo (http://www.housetohouse.com/)
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To: ansel12; LucyJo

Yes, I’ve been following your posts here. Some interesting information there that I didn’t know.

Speaking of POWs, I don’t know if either of you saw this one yet. I’ve been wondering what became of this soldier, and now this story emerges:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2445592/posts


107 posted on 02/05/2010 10:57:18 PM PST by Tired of Taxes (Dad, I will always think of you.)
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To: LucyJo

Even reading that article, I am drawn back to this simple, good old boy.

“Miller now spends his days toiling in a motor pool as part of the 2nd Company of the 43rd Area Support Group. Because most of the unit’s heavy equipment has been shipped over to Iraq, his welding torch has been cold. Recently, he has been cutting the grass and slathering brown and white paint on the building’s interior walls. Every so often, a fellow soldier will quiz him about his service in Iraq.

A $25,000-a-year private first class, Miller lives in a modest three-bedroom townhouse on base with his wife, Jessa,, and two children, 4-year-old Tyler and 14-month-old Makenzie. The children are in day care while his wife works making glasses for LensCrafters. One day, Miller hopes to rise to a higher enlisted rank — an Army warrant officer — and oversee a maintenance shop, perhaps putting in 20 years.
Snip
Miller flopped on the plaid couch. He said he wants to put the entire Iraqi episode behind him and get on with his life. Play with his kids. Work on his car. Complete the paperwork for the warrant officer program.

Today Miller is an E-6
After returning to Fort Bliss, Texas, Miller stayed on active duty with the U.S. Army and was transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado. He is currently a Staff Sergeant.


108 posted on 02/05/2010 11:01:46 PM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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To: submarinerswife

I agree 100%. My only comment was this woman seemed peturbed that Jessica got the media attention.

LLS


109 posted on 02/06/2010 4:27:01 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (hussama will never be my president... NEVER!)
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To: Redcitizen; submarinerswife; ansel12
A FIRST HAND ACCOUNT, having just this week read this I went back and found this account of the US Marine Div that unexpectedly found the 507 Maintenance Company, Jessica Lynch's group, as they approached their objective, Nasiriyah. From Amazon go to this book, “Ambush Alley: The Most Extraordinary Battle of the Iraq War”,(go to First Pages & then start reading @ page 50 to 60).
http://www.amazon.com/Ambush-Alley-Most-Extraordinary-Battle/dp/089141911X/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2427ZJC545YL&colid=16V20REXFUS0R#reader_089141911X
110 posted on 02/06/2010 5:26:55 AM PST by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: RightOnline

Guess it is inbred to always be a victim because of her race. Her comments unveils the racist intent towards casucasians.

Military personnel sometimes are captured in combat. Pvt. Johnson should be thankful for surviving. Jealousy of a former POW will get this meathead now where in life except, in Odummie’s/ Wright’s BLT theology.

Possibly she is upset because her captors did not make any (Booty Calls) on her ugly butt.

The (Beotch) needs to stop flapping her gums and STFU.

Molon Labe,
NSNR


111 posted on 02/06/2010 5:27:53 AM PST by No Surrender No Retreat
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To: a fool in paradise

I remember the picture, as well and retribution should have been in order for that atrocity of our military personnel. One cannot win the hearts and minds of rabid animals intent on your destruction “in this lifetime or the next.”

So Mote It Be,
NSNR


112 posted on 02/06/2010 5:37:15 AM PST by No Surrender No Retreat
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To: Redcitizen

A little side trip here...I was looking up “Shoshana Johnson” and just learned she is a Panamanian citizen. She was born in the Canal Zone.


113 posted on 02/06/2010 5:42:26 AM PST by Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)
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To: RightOnline

“Getting captured does NOT a hero make”

Finally, someone said it.
Consider I am ONLY speaking for myself, but in the ‘Nam I had never even considered becoming a POW. In my opinion, being captured was not an option, moreso a fight to the death was more of my character.
If there is a “hero title” to be found here, perhaps it belongs to one of her rescuers, had he done something to merit more than what his job as a soldier requires.

Many of us were praised for simply doing our JOB...many a “hero” are dead for doing more than their job.


114 posted on 02/06/2010 5:48:11 AM PST by firep0w3r
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To: Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)

Holds On!!! “she still be black and dat counts for sumpin.” (satire) In my world a “Soldier is a Soldier” and their race should be green.

Maybe she is one of Jimah Carter’s “Luv Childs.”

Another Penny In The Jar,
NSNR


115 posted on 02/06/2010 5:49:51 AM PST by No Surrender No Retreat
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To: iopscusa

R. Lowrey wrote about the 507 Company/Jess Lynch story in FR: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1823194/posts


116 posted on 02/06/2010 5:58:00 AM PST by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: submarinerswife

Why didn’t he received the MoH?...He wasn’t commissioned.


117 posted on 02/06/2010 5:59:28 AM PST by Safetgiver (I'd rather die under a free American sky than live under a Socialist regime.)
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To: Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)

If she were born in Panama she might be a Panamanian citizen. Is the Canal Zone U.S. territory?


118 posted on 02/06/2010 6:52:13 AM PST by OldEagle
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To: OldEagle

Sorry for the late reply. I had to leave to do some supermarket stuff.

Up until 2000, it was U.S. territory. (Thank you Jimmy Carter, you ass!)

I believe it was back in the 70s or later, I don’t remember, Panama passed a law saying anybody born in the Canal Zone was a Panamanian citizen. I love it. It gave me two passports. (Don’t forget McNut was born in Colon, Republic of Panama, and not in the Canal Zone.)

In Shoshana case, if one of her folks was an American citizen at the time of her birth, she was considered an American citizen being born in the Zone. If neither one of her parents were U.S., she could not take on U.S. citizenship even though she was born in the Canal Zone.

Have I confused you enough?


119 posted on 02/06/2010 8:40:09 AM PST by Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)
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To: Safetgiver; submarinerswife
Why didn’t he received the MoH?...He wasn’t commissioned.

Safetgiver that doesn't make sense. All MOH since the Vietnam war except one have gone to enlisted and NCOs, one MOH went to a LT doing ground combat as a SEAL on a 4 man team mission in Afghanistan.

120 posted on 02/06/2010 8:51:51 AM PST by ansel12 (anti SoCon. Earl Warren's court 1953-1969, libertarian hero, anti social conservative loser.)
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