Article

2003-11-03 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Edited for brevity.
Former prisoner of war Pfc. Jessica Lynch plans to visit her fianceâs family this Thanksgiving and to marry Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras in June, the groom-to-beâs mother said. Lynch, 20, and Contreras met almost two years ago at a Taco Bell near Fort Bliss, Texas, where they were stationed. Contreras is stationed in Texas while Lynch is scheduled for a round of media appearances this month. The couple eventually could end up in Colorado Springs. Contreras said he hopes to leave the Army next year and become a juvenile probation officer. âItâll be tough, but I like working with kids,â he said. He said he is applying to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and wants to settle in town.
Lynch received multiple offers for full-ride scholarships at several WV universities after stating her intent to become a teacher. Guess she wonât be taking them up on the offer after all.

Posted by Dar 2003-11-03 11:13:03 AM|| || Front Page|| [11133 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 those would be the Robert K. Byrd Scholarships to Robert K. Byrd University system?

Posted by Frank G 2003-11-3 11:53:44 AM|| 2003-11-3 11:53:44 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 ...proud gridiron home of the Babbling Kleagles!

Posted by tu3031 2003-11-3 12:08:08 PM|| 2003-11-3 12:08:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 That would be Robert Byrd (D) Percale?

Posted by Shipman 2003-11-3 12:11:01 PM|| 2003-11-3 12:11:01 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Here's best wishes and congratulations.

Posted by Atrus 2003-11-3 12:14:01 PM|| 2003-11-3 12:14:01 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Big article in yesterday's Gazette, the local Colorado Springs newspaper. The couple plan to live in the Springs after Lynch's future husband gets out of the Army. It's not a bad choice for her. There are two GOOD local colleges (one the liberal Colorado College, which has a teacher's program, the other Colorado University at Colorado Springs, which is MUCH less liberal - may have something to do with the fact tha a large portion of the faculty is either active or retired military, but doesn't have a teaching program per se), and about a dozen junior colleges and extensions of major universities whose main campus is elsewhere. With the Academy, Peterson AFB, Cheyenne Mountain, Schriver, and Fort Carson (which has the biggest hospital), Lynch can continue to receive top-flight medical attention.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-11-3 1:31:13 PM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2003-11-3 1:31:13 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 ..I do genuinely wish her all the luck and happiness in the world. It will be interesting, however, to see how the MassMedia(TM) treats her after she starts her new career...

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2003-11-3 1:36:56 PM|| 2003-11-3 1:36:56 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Mike,
I think she has a much better chance of living normally in Colorado Springs as opposed to her hometown in WV. I would think that many service people would have trouble returning to such a small town after seeing the outside world.

It would be near impossible for her. Everyone would treat her differently. My impression is that would break her heart. She'll probably head back quietly for Thanksgiving or X-mas each year and hope that they don't rename the High School after her.

It might be smarter if she doesn't get married in the community that she plans to reside in permanently.

Posted by Super Hose 2003-11-3 2:04:36 PM|| 2003-11-3 2:04:36 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Anything else we should know about her? How about her street address and phone number? How many kids she plans on having?

I wish the media would leave it alone. It disgusts me that just because she was the first POW rescued, she gets all the attention. I have nothing against Lynch, but I'm just sick of her being seen as a 'Saint'.

And why is she being swarmed by the media, besides the fact she was the first POW rescued? First, it's because she's a blonde haired, blue eyed, woman. The perfect image of a young woman in todays society. Second, she's from a small town named PALESTINE. It doesn't get any more convenient for the media than that. Thirdly, they want to milk her suffering for all it's worth to make Bush look bad. They want us to think " How could he put that poor girl through that? ".

This is why I'm sick of hearing about Lynch. My best wishes go out to her, but lets hear about the other POW's in the war.

Posted by Charles 2003-11-3 5:10:58 PM|| 2003-11-3 5:10:58 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 Charles -- Given Jessica's situation was unique. Unlike the other POWs, she was seriously wounded and couldn't be marched off like they were. She was alone in a hospital and essentially helpless enough to warrant sympathy from an Iraqi informer. And, of course, the dramatic video footage of the rescue made for great TV.

That being said, my biggest fault with the story is I don't think she deserves the Bronze Star. Anything more than a Purple Heart and a campaign ribbon should suffice, based on the accounts I've read.

And, yes, it would be nice to hear about the other POWs!

Posted by Dar 2003-11-3 5:35:05 PM|| 2003-11-3 5:35:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Headline
June 1st, 2021
Jessica's Daughter Accepted at Several Ivy League Schools

Headline
September 20th, 2048
Jessica to Begin Social Security

Will it ever end?

Posted by Glass 2003-11-3 5:36:06 PM|| 2003-11-3 5:36:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Wow, they were stationed at a Taco Bell. Must have been a tough assignment.

Posted by rg117 2003-11-3 5:55:39 PM|| 2003-11-3 5:55:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 Dar, I'm not sure if I'd give her the bronze star either, but she may rate it according to military protocol. I definitely don't think she rates the "V" that goes with it when given for valor. All the stories I've heard about her fighting to the last bullet have been de-bunked.

Posted by Jarhead 2003-11-3 10:27:44 PM|| 2003-11-3 10:27:44 PM|| Front Page Top

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