Jessica Lynch's Family Celebrates With Word of Her Rescue

Wednesday, April 02, 2003

Fox News/ Associated Press

PALESTINE, W.Va.-Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch's family rejoiced at word of her rescue Tuesday, as well-wishers packed their house in this small farming community and cars and fire trucks paraded past blaring horns in celebration.

"I thought at first it was an April Fools joke," said her father, Greg Lynch Sr. "I thought this was a cruel joke. I can put up with most things, but not that. They assured me, no, it's not a joke.

More than 70 people gathered at Lynch's parents' two-story, wood-frame home in a wooded area of Palestine after the Pentagon announced Tuesday night that the 19-year-old supply clerk had been rescued, more than a week after she and other members of her maintenance unit were captured in Iraq.

"I'm glad it's over," he said, "but I wish the other ones were with her. We need to hear some word about them."

Central Command officials in Qatar, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lynch was rescued from an Iraqi hospital.

"We haven't got any official word since," her father said. "That's what I was hoping for.

"We don't know if she was hurt or not. They said they would call back as soon as they checked her out. And they haven't done that yet. It's another waiting game."

The family is scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday, said Randy Coleman, a spokesman for the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

As news of Lynch's rescue spread through Wirt County, population 5,893, well-wishers in the county seat of Elizabeth put on an impromptu parade.

A friend of Lynch's, Jessica Lowe, said that when she heard the news, "I was shaking I was so happy. I started to cry. They were tears of joy."

"They said it was going to be the biggest party this road had ever seen," another cousin of Lynch, Sherri McFee, said.

Lynch was among the soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company who were ambushed March 23 near Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates northwest of Basra. Five members of the 507th were shown on Iraqi television as prisoners being questioned, but Lynch was not one of those pictured.

"Everybody was really worried, normal concerns and everything like that. But we all remained hopeful and knew she would be home," McFee said.

"It just shows that miracles can happen," said Gov. Bob Wise, who promised "one of the greatest homecomings this state has ever seen."

U.S. troops rescued Lynch near where her unit was ambushed, said Jean Offutt, a spokeswoman for Fort Bliss, Texas, where the 507th is based. Offutt said she did not know whether Lynch had been wounded or when she might return to the United States.

Lynch had been listed as missing in action but was identified by the Pentagon on Tuesday as a prisoner of war. She was not among the seven U.S. soldiers -- including the five from the 507th shown on television -- formally listed as prisoners of war.

Relatives of several other missing and captured members of the 507th said Tuesday night they had received no news, but some said Lynch's rescue renewed their optimism.

"It gives me hope," said Jack Dowdy, father of missing Master Sgt. Robert J. Dowdy, 38, of Cleveland. "I'm just sitting here hoping if they find one maybe they will find some more."

"I'm hoping they found some other news too, and that maybe she knows something," said Janie Kiehl, mother of missing Spc. James Kiehl, 22.

Lynch's rescue relieved Palestine, about 70 miles north of Charleston, and the entire state.

"God watched over Jessica and her family. All West Virginians are rejoicing," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. "This is a testament to the amazing skill and courage of our military."

Lynch is known for her smile and her laugh. Friends and family call her Jesse. She's "every mother's dream of a teenager daughter," said Lorene Cumbridge, a cousin of Lynch's.

"She's just a West Virginia country girl. Warm-hearted. Outgoing," said Cumbridge, 62.

Lynch's goal is to be a teacher. But she joined the Army to get an education and because it was one of the few opportunities available in a farming community with an unemployment rate of 15 percent -- one of the highest in West Virginia.

Her older brother, Gregory, is a member of the National Guard based in Fort Bragg, N.C. Jessica enlisted through the Army's delayed-entry program before graduating from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth.

Before she left for the military, family friends Glenda and Don Nelson talked with her about the danger she would face.

"She said 'I've been trained and I'm ready to go,"' Don Nelson said.

"She's everyone's baby," he said. "She loved her country too and was ready to serve it. That is what my country wants, kids like her. She is a true hero in my eyes."