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June 20, 2003 We all remember that fateful day when Pvt. Jessica Lynch and other members of the 507th Ordnance Maintenance Co. was moving from Kuwait to a position farther north inside Iraq. It has been reported the company got lost and drove into Nasiriyah by mistake where Iraqis attacked the truck convoy. We saw the bodies of her fellow soldiers displayed over and over on the nightly news. The five POW’s were paraded in front of the cameras on Iraqi TV with the look of fear in their eyes. And then came the “dramatic” rescue. We were shown the movies of the combined Special Forces making that dramatic raid and rescue on the Iraqi hospital. Now the reports say that the army knew that the soldiers guarding Lynch at the hospital left the day before the rescue. Also it was learned that a few days before, Lynch was transported by ambulance to a checkpoint where she was to be turned over to the American troops, but the troops fired on them and the ambulance fled back to the hospital. We were told of the heroics of Pfc. Lynch and her injuries of being shot and stabbed while fighting gallantly during the ambush and how she fought until her gun jammed. Now the investigation reveals Lynch was never shot or stabbed her injuries occurred when the Humvee she was in slammed into a tractor-trailer during the escape from the ambush. Her rifle was never fired because it jammed. Now there are still more questions to be answered. The main one; what really happened? Her picture was flashed across the TV and was featured on almost every magazine cover and newspaper front page. She was the newest nineteen-year-old American hero. She was showered with gifts; her family was paraded in front of the cameras. Every morning show wanted her and ridiculous offers were made. The talk was of movies and book deals. Then the question started coming fast and furious like the ambush. What really happened? The Army and that it had many unanswered questions and that it hoped to get answers to with what the army called a "extremely complex" investigation of the Iraqi ambush. Well it seems we are getting the answers and when all is said and done, we may not like what we hear. Why did the ambush occur? Why and how did communications break down? Why was the public fed such bull over the rescue? There are to many to list. In the investigation they want to know what happened to each soldier during the fight. The inquiry will look into many issues concerning the incident, such as did the leadership fail, was there proper training and tactics, and mechanical malfunctions of weapons and vehicles. There is the possibility of judicial and administrative punishment if misconduct is found by any 507th member. But one thing, don’t question what Jessica did or didn’t do. She was doing what she was trained to do. In combat situations things can go bad real fast. Lets not look down on Jessica once the truth is known. She did not write this story book garbage that we were served on a silver plate. I supported Bush and of course the troops, but I want answers. Since Bush said the conflict was over we have lost almost as many soldiers as when did when we were in a full-scale operation. Someone has to start telling us the truth. And yes we can handle the truth. What we can’t handle is bullcrap made to look like a vase of red roses. ------------ About the author: Don Cooper is retired and resides in upstate New York. Email Don Cooper: opwriter48@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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