First Girl Lost in War

The Sun ^ | 24 March 2003 | Will Barker

[Plainsman]

A PRETTY 19-year-old country girl who joined the US Army to escape unemployment was feared to be the first woman soldier to die yesterday.

Blonde Jessica Lynch was among 12 soldiers in a US supply convoy ambushed by Iraqi troops. Her parents were left weeping like others in America and Britain as more Coalition victims of the war were identified.

Supply clerk Jessica was feared dead after five survivors from the ambush were paraded before Iraqi TV cameras in sickening footage beamed around the world on Sunday.

Also shown were the bodies of the other seven members of the 507th Maintenance Co convoy, but Jessica’s parents could not identify her among them.

Her father Greg Lynch said: “The only thing they can tell us is she’s missing.

“I just want them to bring her back safely — her and all the rest of the kids.”

Private Jessica — known as Jessie — only joined up because she could not find a job in her farming community home town of Palestine, West Virginia.

Lorene Cumbridge, a 62-year-old cousin, said: “She’s just a West Virginia country girl. Warm-hearted. Outgoing. I really thought growing up she would become an elementary school teacher.

Missing ... supply clerk Jessica

But for West Virginia children in some of the more rural areas, the military is the one good chance of getting an education and making something of themselves.”

Lack of jobs and the military service of her older brother, Gregory Lynch Jr., led Jessica into the Army, her father said.

She signed up before graduating from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth, where she played basketball and softball.

Greg said: “The Army offered a good deal.” Jessica’s brother is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Locals have been supporting Greg, Jessica’s mother Deidre, and her 17-year-old sister, Brandi Renee.

A yellow ribbon was tied to a tree near the family’s mailbox and two others were attached to posts on the front porch.

[Commander8]

She is definately in my prayers.

[exsolus]

damn shame

[Poohbah]

Notice the slant...she wasn't actually serious about going to war, she was just looking for a job, and that EE-VIL Dubya MURDERED HER!

F***ing press makes me want to vomit.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Jessica Lynch, shown in this Sept. 2000 photo, is one of several missing soldiers after a supply convoy was ambushed in southern Iraq (news - web sites), her father said Monday, March 24, 2003. Lynch, 19, of Palestine, W.Va., is a supply clerk with the Army's 507th Maintenance Co. (AP Photo/Family Handout) - Mar 24 6:06 PM ET

	Jessica Lynch, seen in this undated photo, is one of several missing soldiers after a supply convoy was ambushed in southern Iraq (news - web sites), her father said Monday, March 24, 2003. Lynch, 19, of Palestine, W.Va., worked as a supply clerk with the Army's 507th Maintenance Co. (AP Photo/Family Handout) - Mar 24 6:08 PM ET

[cinFLA]

FOX had a female Gulf War POW on earlier. She was tortured and sexually abused. NOW says that is just "part of war".

[BradyLS]

Supply Clerk Jessica... First "girl" lost in war.

I'm damn sorry this happened, but describing this brave woman in uniform this way is doing NOBODY any favors.

[Wavyhill]

She was very pretty. Just one more reason why the anti-Americans need not to be argued with, but rather need to be slaughtered without mercy.

[Texas_Jarhead]

...

[annyokie]

Go ahead and flame me, but, this kind of cheap sentimentality is the reason that GIRLS should not be in the Service.

Where are the fawning pictures of our dead boys? WTFO?

God bless her family and I thank her for her service.

[nhoward14]

Of course, I would prefer to use the word "soldier" where the term "girl" is located. She ceased being a "girl" when she entered the service.

[beaversmom]

The press and some of the families are doing this with the missing/dead soldiers. None of them wanted to be there--they were just suckered into it.

[KneelBeforeZod]

easy now. The Sun probably has been more pro war than any paper out there.

[KneelBeforeZod]

My great great grandfather was with a supply company... in 1865. weird to hear any news about supply trains

[BradyLS]

Indeed. My point, too!

[PresbyRev]

Mountaineers are always free! Bump and prayers for Jessica and her family.

[MattAMiller]

First Girl Lost in War

I prefer the term "Female Solider" myself.

[TexanToTheCore]

Did she give the name of the officer in charge of POWs? Sounds like there is some unfinished business that needs taking care of.

[The FRugitive]

Women should not be placed in harms way like this. I think they should only serve in the rear areas.

Right or wrong, sorry, I find this more disturbing then loosing then loosing a man. Especially think if our women are captured...with Iraqis rape machine...

Prayers for the Lynch family...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

This soldier was a brave American.