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'God watched over Jessica'
02/04/2003 20:22 - (SA)
Palestine, West Virginia - Army private Jessica Lynch's family rejoiced with tears and hugs at word of her rescue on Tuesday, as family and friends packed their house and cars and fire trucks paraded past blaring hooters n celebration.
"There was much confusion and shouting at the house," Jessica's father, Greg Lynch sen told
Fox News on Wednesday morning. "The community and family members was great support for us.
"I thought this was a cruel joke. I can put up with most things, but not that," he earlier told The Associated Press. "They assured me, no, it's not a joke."
More than 70 people gathered at Lynch's parents' two-story, wood-frame home in a wooded area of Palestine after the Pentagon announced on Tuesday night that the 19-year-old supply clerk had been rescued, more than a week after she and other members of her maintenance unit were captured in Iraq.
"I'm glad it's over," her father said, "but I wish the other ones were with her. We need to hear some word about them."
Lynch was rescued from an Iraqi hospital.
Military sources told Fox News the special operations mission to rescue her was developed after a mission by the marines to track down an Iraqi leader who had been using a hospital in Nasiriyah as a base. The sources said it was during this mission that the marines discovered there was an American being held
inside - and said navy Seals and army Rangers came up with a plan and executed it on Tuesday night.
"Coalition forces have conducted a successful rescue mission of a US army prisoner of war held captive in Iraq," Brigadier General Vincent Brooks said at Central Command in Qatar. "The soldier has been returned to a coalition-controlled area."
Captain Jay La Rossa, spokesperson for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, told Reuters that Lynch had two broken legs and one broken arm, but was stable and in good condition.
"We haven't got any official word since," her father said. "That's what I was hoping for."
'Missing in action'
But Jessica's father said at least a little information is better than none at all - which is what the family suffered through while Jessica was listed as "missing in action".
"That was the worst part about it," he told Fox News on Wednesday. "It's not knowing what's going on that's really the hard part."
Lynch was among the soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company who were ambushed March 23 near Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates northwest of Basra.
Five members of the 507th were shown on Iraqi television as prisoners being questioned, but Lynch was not one of those pictured.
Greg Lynch described Jessica as a girl who always loved to laugh.
"She's just always joking, kidding around - never a dull moment," he said. "She was a spirit in everybody's life."
Asked by Fox News if there was a message he wanted to send to Jessica if she was watching the television, her father said: "We're just glad she's home safe and we can't wait to see her.
"We're proud of you, Jessie. Keep up the good spirits and you will be home soon."
Tears of joy
As news of Lynch's rescue spread through Wirt County, population 5 893, well-wishers in the county seat of Elizabeth put on an impromptu parade.
A friend of Lynch's, Jessica Lowe, said that when she heard the news, "I was shaking I was so happy. I started to cry. They were tears of joy."
"Everybody was really worried, normal concerns and everything like that. But we all remained hopeful and knew she would be home."
"It just shows that miracles can happen," said Governor Bob Wise, who promised "one of the greatest homecomings this state has ever seen."
US troops rescued Lynch near where her unit was ambushed, said Jean Offutt, a spokesperson for Fort Bliss, Texas, where the 507th is based. Offutt said she did not know when Jessica will return to the United States.
Lynch had been listed as missing in action, but was identified by the Pentagon on Tuesday as a prisoner of war. She was not among the seven US soldiers - including the five from the 507th shown on television - formally listed as prisoners of war.
Lynch's rescue relieved Palestine and the entire state.
'God watched over Jessica'
"God watched over Jessica and her family. All West Virginians are rejoicing," said Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. "This is a testament to the amazing skill and courage of our military."
Friends and family call her Jesse. She's "every mother's dream of a teenager daughter," said Lorene Cumbridge, a cousin of Lynch's.
"She's just a West Virginia country girl. Warm-hearted. Outgoing," said Cumbridge, 62.
Lynch's goal is to be a teacher. But she joined the army to get an education and because it was one of the few opportunities available in a farming community with an unemployment rate of
15%- one of the highest in West Virginia.
Her older brother, Gregory, is a member of the National Guard based in Fort Bragg. Jessica enlisted through the army's delayed-entry programme before graduating from Wirt County High School in Elizabeth. Ready to go
Before she left for the military, family friends Glenda and Don Nelson talked with her about the danger she would face.
"She said 'I've been trained and I'm ready to go,"' Don Nelson said.
"She's everyone's baby," he said. "She loved her country too and was ready to serve it. That is what my country wants, kids like her. She is a true hero in my eyes."
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