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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[Frank_Discussion]

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

Considering she's, well, A VETERAN, I think that would make sense. What's your point?

"Also, why does Lynch have a lawyer?"

If you had been thrust into the limelight like she has, you'd probably want a little protection, too.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Kind of odd, since it was tne military's desire to have a female "hero" that made her famous. Anyway, as I said, it was a medical discharge.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Lynch broken back

[Sloth]

I'd want a lawyer if I was her.

[AFreeBird]

Also, why does Lynch have a lawyer?

Just a guess; Presstitute hounds, book offers, etc. Probably not a bad idea to have someone to help fend off the bottom feeders and deal with legit offers.

[Eva]

What about these guys whose families are openly opposing the Iraq war and reconstruction effort, will they be discharged?

[yonif]

Considering she's, well, A VETERAN, I think that would make sense. What's your point?

No point at all, I just thought the choice of words were bad and implied something else.

[warchild9]

They discharged Scott O'Grady because he f++++d up, and endangered the lives of a rescue team. Lynch just got knocked out in a vehicle mishap in the middle of a firefight. It wasn't her fault.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for the link.

[Servant of the Nine]

Lynch broken back

Yes, and at the time she left Walter Reed, The chief of Orthopedic Surgery said that her injuries to back and thigh were inconsistent with a vehicle wreck, but consistent with being beaten with rifle butts.
There may be a legitimate reason for her amnesia.

I don't care for the way she has been pumped up as a hero, but she was legitimately seriously injured in the service of her country due largely to the incompetence of her unit commander and unit NCOs (got lost, out of contact, weapons nonfunctional).

So9

[kms61]

This was a thread on another forum a while back. Once poster referred to a Navy Chief he knew who was a lottery winner and stayed on....didn't say whether he won it before or after enlisting. Another told of a cannon cocker who was a trust-fund kid....

Apocryphal stories...just passing them along.

[smiley]

I don't blame Jessica for asking for a medical discharge...don't envy Jessica for her instant fame....when she reaches her old age....those injuries will be coming back to cause her a lot of pain and suffering...let her enjoy her youth in the interim....God Bless, Jessica and all your commrades...and thank you!

[kms61]

And of course there's Pat Tillman, who probably has more money in the bank than his entire battalion staff put together.

[proud2serve]

She will probably be or is considered (don't know for sure because only a look at her records will show that) a veteran of a foreign war.

[colorado tanker]

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.

Welcome to Colorado, Jessica. And get well soon.