Events have taken place in America’s history that should never be forgotten.
Many are written in the history books, days declared to remember them, or statues or monuments erected to recognize their importance. But these things do not always tell the whole story. Many times they barely look past the headlines of the times.
And sometimes the really important stories are forgotten. Consider the story of Jessica Lynch. Do you remember her name?
She was the first American female soldier to be captured and taken prisoner of war.
Lynch was a clerk in the 507th Maintenance Company. She was part of a convoy that was ambushed in Nasiriyah, Iraq, March 23, 2003. Her best friend, Private First Class Lori Piestewa, a single mother of two, along with 10 other members of her unit were killed.
Hundreds of tanker trucks, tractor trailers and Humvees had already pulled out of Camp Virginia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when Lynch’s company fell in behind. They would become separated because of mechanical failures, trucks buried in ruts and blocking the road, and finally a wrong turn, all of which led to the fatal ambush in the Iraqi city.
Lynch would be captured and brutally tortured for three hours before being taken to Saddam General Hospital where she would be for nine days before being rescued by an elite American military force.
No one can imagine the brutality she endured during her three hours in captivity. She doesn’t remember. The Army’s story, not surprisingly, has changed as to some of her wounds, but most are undeniable.
But Lynch’s ordeal in the Middle East was only part of the story. There was the story of her life, why she was in the Army, and even more the story of family, friends and a community that never gave up hope, and a country that reached out in support.
There were her Mom and Dad, at home in their small A-frame in West Virginia waiting for word. They were joined by Lynch’s sister and brother, also a soldier. They were surrounded by neighbors who came and waited, held vigils and brought food.
People took vacations, called in sick, or simply didn’t work to be with the Lynches to give support, to help or to just wait. And they prayed.
After Lynch was freed, the same neighbors expanded the family home so her wheelchair could get around.
The people of the small West Virginia town where Lynch was born and raised didn’t have the money to do what needed to be done to the Lynch home. That’s where Americans stepped up and sent checks.
Children sent toys and candy. Soldiers, and parents of soldiers, sent medals and uniforms, to honor, comfort or just say thank you to Jessica.
Lynch’s return gave the people of West Virginia a miracle that could be seen.
Everyone should read the whole story and the best place to do that is in a book by Rick Bragg, “I Am a Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story.” I just finished it. You can order it on Amazon.
The book tells the story of what America used to be like, what it should be like today. You’ll likely see some things that remind you of Fannin County and the Copper Basin.
It should be required reading for every member of Congress. That’s because it runs deep in patriotism, not only to country but to family and community. And the so-called leadership of this country needs to be reminded of such values.
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Glenn Harbison is publisher/editor of The News Observer. He can be reached at 706-632-2019 or by email at glenn@thenewsobserver.com.