Former POW Jessica Lynch Honorably Discharged From Army

AP Breaking News ^

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Aug 27, 2003

Former POW Jessica Lynch Honorably Discharged From Army By Allison Barker Associated Press Writer

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Former POW Jessica Lynch, the petite blonde who became a war hero when special forces rescued her from an Iraqi hospital, has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, her lawyer said Wednesday. "As of the now, she is not a member of the military anymore," Stephen Goodwin of Charleston said.

Lynch, 20, suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries when her 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on March 23.

Her rescue on April 1 made a national celebrity out of Lynch, who joined the Army to get an education and become a kindergarten teacher.

She returned home last month to a hero's welcome after a long stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation's capital. She revisited the hospital for the first time last week for a checkup.

It was during that trip that Lynch was granted a medical discharge, which she had earlier requested, Goodwin said.

Lynch will continue physical therapy at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg, where she has been treated since her release from Walter Reed. She can walk with crutches, but is still recovering from her injuries.

She hopes to improve enough to travel to Colorado in November to celebrate Thanksgiving with her fiance, Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras Jr., and his family.

Goodwin said he was not sure if Lynch is receiving medical disability. Calls to the U.S. Army were not immediately returned Wednesday.

AP-ES-08-27-03 1426EDT

This story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA1C6MOVJD.html

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[governsleastgovernsbest]

I didn't know this was in the works - did others?

[Poohbah]

Generally, when you wind up breaking your spine in several places, you get medically discharged.

[KQQL]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I have not heard that she broke her spine in several places. Link or site with that info?

[verity]

Can you explain?

[CholeraJoe]

I knew it was inevitable given the type and magnitude of her injuries. I suspect she has a spinal cord injury based on what few medical details I've seen and the fact that when she came home she was riding in a custom wheelchair with a pressure-relieving seat of the same type used by spinal cord injured patients. I'm skeptical of the crutches reference.

[MrNeutron1962]

Unless they are Elvis Presley.

[yonif]

Just wondering

"As of the now, she is not a member of the military anymore," Stephen Goodwin of Charleston said.

But I guess she wants to be considered part of the military family of veterans?

Also, why does Lynch have a lawyer?

[CholeraJoe]

She under went spinal surgery in Germany immediately after her rescue to "relieve spinal cord pressure." Sorry no link.

[steve86]

"As of the now, she is not a member of the military anymore," Stephen Goodwin of Charleston said.

Is this common word usage in Charleston?

[Blood of Tyrants]

She received a medical discharge. She has had several bones broken including her spine. She wouldn't be up to completing her active duty obligation for at least another 6 to 10 months and probably never back to 100%.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Probably to steal as much of her royalties from the movie as possible.

[flyer182]

Isn't she? She has been medically retired. Of course she could have just gone over to Iraq for the sun n sand.

[annyokie]

Of course. Her body is broken; she's out.

[HairOfTheDog]

Glad she us up on crutches, that is quite hopeful.

She hopes to improve enough to travel to Colorado in November to celebrate Thanksgiving with her fiance, Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras Jr., and his family.

I will pray for this! I wish her the best.

[Gringo1]

I had this one figured , medical discharges are not easily gotten, but in this case it was a no-brainer with a spinal fracture.