[protest1]

I would like to see more recognition of the real Heroes of the ambushed convoy. Those who fought bravely, against overwhelming odds, but were killed or captured like Sgt Donald Walters.

[annyokie]

Amen. And take back that Bronze Star while we're at it.

[TomServo]

FYI - thought you might like to see this...

[McGavin999]

We need to honor ALL of our fallen warriors. This one sounds like quite a guy, his parents, and his country should be awfully proud of him.

[SouthernFreebird]

Agreed. Surviving does not make one a hero.

[csvset]

Walters honored as loving father, committed soldier

[The Hon. Galahad Threepwood]

But Jessie's a girl. Naturally it's more important that we play up the myth that women are just as capable in combat as men. This is worth far more than acknowledging the heroism of some male person.

[petitfour]

In the days following the elaborately staged rescue of Pte Lynch from her hospital ward on April 1, a blizzard of American media reports told how the soldier had exhausted all her ammunition before capture, in an isolated and brave "fight to the death". I'd like to see some accurate reporting for a change.

[Arkie2]

This sounds right. I've been suspiscious of the whole Lynch affair almost from the beginning when there were conflicting reports from the military. The myth has already been established though and those who try to correct the record will be called cynical and biased against women in the military. The truth doesn't matter, the myth does.

[foreverfree]

bump

[Monster Zero]

Hey, as long as we're on the subject: What's Private Shoshanna Johnson doing these days?

Has anyone heard?

[HairOfTheDog]

I would like to see more recognition of the real Heroes of the ambushed convoy.

Then ask to learn more about them. There are many great people in our forces over there and we would all be better off for knowing more of them.... But belittling Jessica as to blame for you not knowing the others - putting her bravery in quotes - makes you look small, not her.

[Z-28]

When did we start giving out medals for getting captured?

Didn't that used to be an embarrassment back in the pre-liberal media days?

[Tribune7]

Good article. Thanks for posting.

Sgt Donald Walters is a hero and his feats deserve publicity and recognition. We can build this guy up, however, without tearing down Jessica Lynch.

For what it's worth, concerning Pvt. Lynch, it's great to see our military people honored and praised.

[SuziQ]

It was, fellow soldiers have told her, Sgt Donald Walters who performed many of the heroics attributed to Pte Lynch in the fanfare of publicity designed to lift the nation's morale, and Sgt Walters who was killed after mounting a lone stand against the Iraqis who ambushed their convoy of maintenance vehicles near Nasiriyah.

I hope Mrs. Walters doesn't hold Pvt. Lynch responsible for all of the stories about her. Most of them were spread around before she was even taken back by the Special Forces, and as far as I know she has never made a public statement about what happened during her capture.

I'm sure Mrs. Walters is bitter about all this, but I hope in time she can heal and not hold a grudge against Pvt. Lynch.

[PatriotBill]

Why isn't anyone discussing the "females in combat" issue?! What a reprehensible society we live in that allows women to get near military combat. This isn't an equality issue. The reason to keep women out of combat is POW treatment. The enemy simply rapes female prisoners. (Remember the female pilot taken captive in the first Gulf War? She was raped. And our political leaders don't even have the guts to discuss that tragedy!)

[Dante3]

I agree.

[Arpege92]

"I would like to see more recognition of the real Heroes of the ambushed convoy."

Amen to that! I don't want to take anything away from Jessica but so many other's are being left out of the so called "spot light". The hero's who rescued Jessica, the hero's who died in the ambush and the hero's who survived the ambush. They all deserve our thanks and above all, they deserve the "spot light"!!!!!

[takenoprisoner]

aw shucks, give Lynch her due. She was there, she was injured in battle, she survived, and she was rescued.

Is she a hero? In the eyes of some she certainly is. Especially to her parents and the folks in her small hometown amongst others.

Is she deserving of the honors (in a traditional sense) now being bestowed upon her? Of course the military and the media are pushing the envelope...sorta like stepping into another dimension of space and time. But it makes for real good press and a warm fuzzy feeling all over for the masses.

[montag813]

They suggested that it was only after a prolonged battle, in which she was shot and stabbed, that she was eventually taken prisoner

MANY of us on FR laughed at this account from the very beginning, noting that this tiny little girl would have bled to death within 2 minutes if stabbed with a knitting needle. It is an absolute disgrace how this girl is lauded endlessly for doing NOTHING. She had no business being in the theater of war. She is a "hero" for being in a car accident. Disgusting and disgraceful and a smear against legitimate heroes like this woman's son.

[Treasa]

Forgive me for not reading all the posts regarding
this first, too many or I would.
I'm glad to find out the real story of this soldier.
Many have died, many still risk thier lives...
Nothing is taken away fomr what they've done or will do.
My heart is filled with love and pride and concern for all of them...but blaming Jessica isn't right...she didn't ask or expect all this, she said as much in her speech. Instead she thanked everyone gracefully and left. She served her country and now we should let her live in peace...
My Thanks go out to all who served Past and present...