Slain Soldier's Father Criticizes Lynch's Book Deal- Kiehl Says Lynch Is 'A Profiteer'

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[chance33_98]

Slain Soldier's Father Criticizes Lynch's Book Deal

Kiehl Says Lynch Is 'A Profiteer'

POSTED: 9:02 AM CDT September 4, 2003

COMFORT, Texas -- The father of a Comfort soldier killed in an ambush in Iraq that former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch survived said that Lynch's million-dollar book deal will taint the memory of the soldiers killed in the ambush.

"Pretty severe, isn't it?" Randy Kiehl (pictured, left), the father of Army Spc. James Kiehl, said in an exclusive interview with KSAT 12 News Wednesday from his home in Comfort. "That she makes money off the death of my son and off the deaths of so many others."

James Kiehl (pictured, below) was among seven members of the 507th Maintenance Company stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso killed in the ambush on March 23 near An Nasiriyah. Lynch survived the attack and was taken prisoner of war. She was later rescued from a hospital and became a national hero.

On Tuesday, a publisher announced that Lynch signed a $1 million deal for a book that will tell the story about her capture and rescue.

"Where's the million-dollar book deal for the other members of the 507th who were killed?" Randy Kiehl said. "How do they tell their story?

"Now, she's a profiteer because what she did was in the line of duty."

Randy Kiehl said he also blames the publisher and others "who waved that million-dollar check in front of her."

Kiehl said he plans on reading Lynch's book, due out in November, to find out what it says about his son.

Kiehl added that he's glad Lynch survived the attack.

[Bikers4Bush]

Right, it's all about your son. Has nothing to do with the fact that she was held captive.

What an ass. He's probably just mad because he didn't get offered any money.

[azsportsterman]

I'm sorry he lost his son, but if Lynch didn't sign the deal, someone else would have written the story anyway.

Funny, he didn't complain about Hitlery, Clintoon, Gore, or any other politician writing their books. Weren't they just doing their jobs too? Are they not profiteering from their public service?

[Lexington Green]

Grief has impaired his judgement.. or he's just an a-hole.

[Blood of Tyrants]

if Lynch didn't sign the deal, someone else would have written the story anyway.

Yep. She would be a fool to turn down $1,000,000. But she would be a saint if she at least offered a portion the the slain soldiers' families, at least the ones with wives and kids.

[Dadofmany]

The man lost his son. Let up!!

[CheezyD]

What an ass. What's he expect to gain by making these statements? Money? A little bit of face time in the camera?

[MizSterious]

We don't know that she hasn't, or that she won't when the check comes in. So far, she's been very generous with her co-writer, and I'll bet she won't try to weasel out of it like Hillary did.

[MizSterious]

I don't think this was the man's best moment, but I also think he'd like to make sure his son receives recognition for what he did, too. That seems only natural. Shame on the press for taking advantage of this man who's obviously still grieving.

[linn37]

She's going to profit and he does'nt like it. I can understand that.

[BlackbirdSST]

Yeah, three cheers for Jessica! I can't wait to learn what it's like to "Grow up in America" from a 19 year old in West Virginia. I'm sure it will be an enlightening experience. Man, what a driver too! Some folk's are hard up for a Hero. sarcasm off!

I'll wait for the account from her fellow Soldier's (mysteriously missing?), at least the ones that survived. If that accounting is available and I've missed it, feel free to provide the link. Blackbird.

[Bikers4Bush]

He lost his son and yet all he wants to talk about is money.

If that doesn't bother you it should.

[Hildy]

I don't think it's all about money. The guy is bitter...she's alive...his son is dead. Maybe if she was a he, she'd be dead too. Maybe that's what this guy is so mad about.

[ChewedGum]

I don't have a problem with her book deal. She was injured and captured. Her back injury may disable her for the rest of her life. She has a story to tell, and a book publisher would like to pay her to tell it. Other soldiers have done the same. This is just a non-issue.

Gum

[Mears]

I'm with you. If she shared the profits with others I'd feel better about this whole thing.

[mountaineer]

The man is bitter and he's grieving, I suppose, thus he lashes out at Jessica Lynch who - through no fault of her own - became a media darling. I wonder if he's also mad at Alvin York.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Ping.

[Sloth]

What a selfish scumbag.

[Chad Fairbanks]

PING!

P.S.: Armadillos


BWAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA

[Hatteras]

How long could this book possibly be? What, with all that amnesia she suffered. But, I don't blame her for taking the cash. Hey, if some publisher wanted to dump a million in my lap, I'd take it too. Staying poor isn't going to honor anybody's memory either.