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.

[Salvation]

Prayers for this young lady and her family.

[Pharmboy]

The same liberal media that focuses stories on feminizing the military has now turned this soldier into their poster girl victim of the Bush Administration's war with Iraq. Pretty damned disgusting.

Worth repeating.

[Servant of the Nine]

1. Women did not have the cardiovascular capacity of male recruits, and no amount of cardio-conditioning could make up the difference.

2. Women did not have the physical strength of male recruits and no amount of PT could make up that difference either.

3. Women lacked the inherent aggressiveness of their male counterparts.

4. Women tended to panic during live fire exercises.

Are you telling me that every single female recruit had less cardiovascular capacity than the lowest rated male to make it through the program?

Are you telling me that every single female recruit had less physical strength than the weakest male to make it through the program?

Are you telling me that every single female recruit was less inherently aggressive than the least agressive male to make it through the program?

Are you telling me that every single female recruit was more prone to panic than the goosiest male to make it through the program?

If that is not what you are telling me, then why are you unwilling to test and select women individually on merit, just as we do men? And yes, I admit damned few would make it

You are right, I should not have impugned your motives for holding your position. I apologize.

So9

[farmfriend]

Brainwashing?

[nopardons]

Here, let me help you, dear.

1. Female

2.Masters degree

3.Professional...long time retired, to be a full time mother.

4) No military service ( I do NOT think that women belong there )

5.Do NOT belong to a fundu religion/ sect.

Aren't you happy you asked ? Perhaps you should go to FR's archieves and check out people's profiles/histories ( there are several old threads, wherein many FREEPERs talk about their education, careers, etc. ) , before you ask such lefthanded, impugning queries. :-)

[farmfriend]

You married?

Yes, and I do understand guys. Many men have told me that I not only understand them but also think like them.

No, innate protective instinct. This is no different from a mother lion protecting her cub. No, innate protective instinct. This is no different from a mother lion protecting her cub.

Exactly how I feel about men. They are worth protecting and I do protect them. Ask any male freeper who knows me.

How many guys in the last gulf war were raped? I never heard of any.

You wouldn't. It's not the kind of thing men discuss or admit is it.

Take a ten year old boy, who was abused sexually, by a female teacher, and he will be high fiving his friends for the next two weeks.

But we are talking about men being raped by other men. The enemy at that. Not sexually adventurous boys with an older woman.

[nopardons]

Let's talk about homosexuals in the military. Besides blackmail, why else do most men NOT want them in the military, do you suppose ? Oh and do you know about the " SPARTAN LEAGUE " ?

[XBob]

258 - "And third, even worse, why do we need to know the color of her hair, as if being blonde makes her death more tragic than another soldiers? If she were African-American, would they say, "brunette" Jennie? No. This is an outrage."

===

It makes a big difference in a land where everyone has black hair, it makes her a special prize.

As a natural blond (albeit male), I experienced major curiosity and awe traveling in such countries as a child, and also as an adult. I have personally had dozens of people come up and touch me and my hair in such countries, where blonds are never seen. As a child I remember a closed bakery opening, specifically to give me some free cookies. And as an adult, in Jordan, I remember being requested by my guide to take off my hat in a crowd of hundreds of people so that we could get into packed embassy visa section.

I would recommend all US military females in the mid-east dye their hair black.

We will never see this poor girl again, dead or alive, as blonds, particularly female blonds, will be particular prizes.

[libravoter]

Wars are fought with weapons.

[Z in Oregon]

I see not allowing women in combat as sexist towards men. They are not disposable and should not be treated as such. If we only sent blacks it would be seen as racist but when we only send men, somehow that is OK? Equal rights for men.

Thanks for the ping, and I do agree with your position.

There is nothing wrong with being concerned about the lives of American women...given that the same level of concern is put forth about the lives of American men.

You know, we live in a society that portarys men as ditzy (any sitcom) or dangerous (any feminist pronouncement, family court policy).

Would African-Americans stand for such?

Do men have less fortitude than African-Americans?

Being a man is not about how much abuse you'll kneel to.

It's about what you'll stand up for and against.

[Sloth]

Make that "First Girl FOUND in War"

:)