Jessica Lynch is coming home tomorrow

[David]

Private First Class Jessica Lynch is coming home tomorrow, July 22, 2003

[Arrow]

[MORTARDUDE]

I pray to God that the GlObaL-money-grubbing-vicious-news-media, in all of its virulent forms, will just leave her the HELL alone !!!!....but I know they won't.....

Larry

DEO VINDICE

[Seascamp]

I worry about the media as well. If Jessica had something to say, she would have said it by now. The Army Lions at the gate have done a good job of covering her privacy and letting her come to grips with things. Maybe she?s strong enough to deal with it all now, I don?t know. But it could be that her hometown is strong enough to make sure things don?t get too crazy and uncomfortable for Jessica. If I were to place a bet, I?d bet she?s has lots of hometown ?big brothers and sisters? that are going to be looking after things, big time.

Welcome home Jessica.

Scamp

[DMZ-LT]

Rember this brave young lady is someones daughter. Welcome home , Jessica , we love you.

[nang]

Indeed. Welcome Home Pvt Lynch

[SEATJERKER]

...how strong she is...

...She is one tough trooper, and an inspiration to every other soldier, and this Nation's civilians...

..."Welcome Home"...

[sfc_darrel]

Lynch Gets Medals Ahead of Homecoming

July 21, 2003 09:24 PM EDT


ELIZABETH, W.Va. - Former POW Jessica Lynch was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Washington Monday as she prepares for her homecoming.

Lynch, who returns to the hills of West Virigina Tuesday, also received the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medals at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The Bronze Star is given for meritorious combat service, a Purple Heart is most often awarded to those wounded in combat, and the POW for being held captive during wartime.

"The Purple Heart ... was not necessarily about being wounded or injured in action initially, but that's what it has come to symbolize," said Lt. Gen. James B. Peake, the Army Surgeon General, in presenting the medals. "It's a special award and not one you choose to get."

Four members of the West Virginia Army National Guard's aviation support unit in Parkersburg were chosen to staff the helicopter that she will ride home in.

"Minus all the hype, this mission is about being able to participate in the homecoming of one of our own," said Chief Warrant Officer Robert McClure, who will co-pilot the Black Hawk helicopter with Chief Warrant Officer Jim McPeak. "It's a real honor."

Lynch, still recuperating from multiple broken bones and other injuries, and her parents are scheduled to fly from the medical center to Elizabeth. The 210-mile trip should last two to three hours, depending on the weather.

Also on both legs of the flight will be Lynch's cousin, Dan Little, a first sergeant in the Parkersburg National Guard unit.

"Jessi trusts him and wanted him to be with her because he's been through most of it with her," said Wyonema Lynch, Lynch's grandmother, noting that Little traveled to Germany when Lynch was recuperating there.

Little, who has spoken twice with Lynch in the past week, said her spirits have been buoyed by her imminent trip home.

"She's a strong, disciplined young lady," Little said. "Her injuries are long healing, and that can be hard if you dwell on it. But she's not allowed that to happen."

With hundreds of news media and others descending on this Wirt County seat of about 1,000 for Lynch's first public comments about her ordeal, area residents have been painting, pruning and preening for weeks.

"We are excited just to see her, just to be able to give her hug. To Jessi, home is in the hills. She has been wanting to get here," her grandmother said.

Regina Ray of Elizabeth said she is glad Lynch is coming home "because there is no place like home to recover."

American flags and yellow bows line the route Lynch's military motorcade will take from Elizabeth to her home in Palestine, a community of about 300 residents some five miles away.

Lynch is scheduled to make a brief statement in Elizabeth before riding in a Ford Mustang convertible in the motorcade.

Lynch's convoy was ambushed near the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah after it made a wrong turn. Eleven soldiers from the convoy were killed and Lynch, a supply clerk, was severely injured.

U.S. forces recovered Lynch at a Nasiriyah hospital April 1. Five other 507th Maintenance Company soldiers who were captured and held apart from Lynch were freed April 13.

The influx of hundreds of visitors, including many journalists here to report Lynch's first public words since her March wounding, capture and rescue in Iraq, is bringing needed cash to Wirt County, which has West Virginia's highest unemployment rate - 15.1 percent.

The economic benefits dampen the annoyance many residents feel at the intense media interest in Lynch.

"They're anxious to see you come, and they'll be anxious to see you leave," said Keith Burdette, Gov. Bob Wise's legislative liaison and the county's former state senator.

Also on the flight will be the crew chief, Sgt. 1st Class Vernon Cosner of Washington, and flight medic, Sgt. Paula Tucker of Morgantown.

[Keith_Hixson]

Some older Veterans were complaining that the medals were awarded too easily.

Her injuries certainly deserved a purple heart. She was a POW there is no doubt about that. The Bronze Star, I haven't read the citation but maybe some true to the complaint, but why do some want to begrudge anothers awards?

Let's rejoice that she is home and mending!

Keith

[Seascamp]

A lot of complaints for sure and some have even gone so far as to insultingly call people like Pvt. First Class Lynch and her 507th ?tourists?. I don?t know why Jessica got the Bronze Star but I assume the award is appropriate to the circumstances and I believe the Army Commendation should be due before too long.
But the relevant issue is that the homecoming went very well and though Jessica said but a few words, they were real and heart felt. I?m looking forward to more thoughts later, but that?s all in her time when and if she wants to.
She looked tired but cheerful and happy to be home. I?m not sure it gets any better than that given her horrific and painful ordeal. Those small words ?I?m an American Soldier too? are an epic of the time and given the circumstances when first spoken and then spoken once again, just speaks volumes to me about what kind of people that grace our Armed Forces. Welcome home and best wishes for your next period of healing Jessica.

Scamp