gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (Infantry Crest)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2003-07-22 05:56 pm

PFC Lynch

Jessica Lynch came home today, and somehow her welcome really irked me.

She was flown into her home town in a UH-60 Blackhawk. Probably one of the few times she's ever flown in one. She was greeted by a mob of well wishers, holding her picture and calling her a hero. This is where I have a problem.

From al the information we have, PFC Jessica Lynch was riding in a 2.5 ton truck when it was hit by a RPG. There is no proof she fired back. In fact, with her injuries, I doubt she could even load the damn thing. She was captured, and taken to a hospital. There, she was treated well, and rescued by American forces.

She is due the Purple Heart and the POW medal.

I see nothing in this story that makes her a hero. In fact, the entire event is a massive example of things going wrong! The convoy got lost, rolled into an ambush, and was destroyed. All PFC Lynch did was ride in a truck. And if my memories of being an E-3 is any guide, she was probably sound asleep when she was attacked.

No one is questioning her dedication to duty, or her conduct while a captive, but she is hardly a hero.

[identity profile] tzimiel.livejournal.com 2003-07-23 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
From what little I've seen/heard from Pfc. Lynch herself, I suspect she would agree with you. I imagine she will spend the rest of her enlistment being terribly embarassed (and possibly very angry) at being used in this way.

I'm proud that she served. She, and other women like her, are good things for my daughter to see. I'm very glad she made it back. But I really wish this administration would leave her the hell alone...