Jessica Lynch
Then...
Born April 26, 1983 in Palestine, West Virginia to Greg and Dee Lynch, Jessica Dawn Lynch a former Quartermaster Corps Private First Class (PFC) in the United States Army, was a prisoner of war of the Iraqi military in the 2003 invasion of Iraq who was rescued by United States forces on April 1, 2003.
Lynch's was the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II and the first ever of a woman. Lynch, then a 19-year-old supply clerk with the 507th Maintenance Company (based in Fort Bliss, Texas), was injured and captured by Iraqi forces after her group made a wrong turn and was subsequently ambushed on March 23, 2003 near Nasiriyah, a major crossing point over the Euphrates River northwest of Basra. She was initially listed as missing in action (MIA). Eleven other soldiers in the company were killed in the ambush.
On April 24, 2007 she testified in front of Congress that she never fired her weapon and was knocked unconscious when her vehicle crashed. She woke up later in an Iraqi hospital. She blamed the media and the military of lying for their own gain. She said during her testimony, "They should have found out the facts before they spread the word like wildfire."
Jessica Lynch became America's first female rescued Prisoner of War at the early of 19. Since then, she has persevered through many injuries and remains a hero and supporter for America’s service men and woman.
and Now?
Jessica Lynch became a household name in 2003 when she became the first American POW to be rescued since the Vietnam War. The Army private turned national hero suffered massive injuries during that abduction and thus far has undergone over 20 surgeries.
Lynch continues her physical therapy and doctor’s appointments weekly but she remains persistent with her ‘never give up attitude.’ In fact, this persistence and determination is making Lynch a sought after speaker on the subject of perseverance.
Today, Lynch is a mother, teacher, motivational speaker and actress. Yes, Lynch has taken up acting to help promote and encourage young filmmakers to make uplifting and faith-based films. She has appeared in films like ‘Virtuous’ and stars in an upcoming film entitled ‘One Church’ and ‘Shake off the World.’
She has also earned a Masters Degree from West Virginia University.
Despite the trauma of her capture and the continuing effects from her injuries, Jessica Lynch still encourages young people to join the military and lives her life with "no regrets."