[EricHorner]

It was just announced on CNN that Jessi received an honorable discharge from the Army.

[Kicks]

Welcome back to civilian life Miss Jessi!

Hope it's a great one.

Still luvin' ya....

[jessefan]

Yes, Miss Lynch, welcome back to civilian life. Now I'll have to get out of the habit of refering to you as "Pvt. Lynch."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/1762/4064877.html


Jessica Lynch discharged from Army
Associated Press

Published August 27, 2003 LYNC28


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Jessica Lynch, the former prisoner of war who became a national hero when special forces rescued her from an Iraqi hospital, has been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, her lawyer said Wednesday.

``As of the now, she is not a member of the military anymore,'' Stephen Goodwin of Charleston said.

The medical discharge clears the way for Lynch to pursue possible book or movie deals about her ordeal, Goodwin said. Though she has not spoken publicly about her time in Iraq, Lynch has said through a spokesman that she plans to tell her story in a book to be published by the end of the year.

``Like any citizen, she is now free to enter into a contract,'' Goodwin said.

Lynch, 20, suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries when her 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah on March 23.

Her rescue on April 1 made a celebrity out of Lynch, who joined the Army to get an education and become a kindergarten teacher.

She returned home last month to a hero's welcome after a long stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the nation's capital. She revisited the hospital for the first time last week for a checkup, and was granted the discharge during that trip.

Lynch will continue physical therapy at Camden-Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg. She can walk with crutches, but is still recovering.

She hopes to improve enough to travel to Colorado in November to celebrate Thanksgiving with her fiance, Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras Jr., and his family.

Goodwin said Lynch had not signed a book deal with anyone as of Wednesday, although Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former New York Times reporter Rick Bragg has been a guest at the Lynch home to do research. The Times has reported Bragg will be paid $1 million to tell Lynch's story.

NBC plans a TV movie starring Laura Regan that has been developed without Lynch's authorization, while CBS abandoned its plans for a Lynch movie.

Goodwin said he wasn't sure if Lynch is receiving medical disability. Calls to the U.S. Army were not immediately returned Wednesday.


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[Soprano84]

That was a LOT faster than I expected. But then again, given the extent of her injuries, there was really no chance of her returning to duty before she was physically ready to do so, and by that time she could've just simply chosen not to reenlist.

I wish her a long abnd healthy life...and one off the media radar screen for the most part,

[mainzman]

I would think that getting a Honerable Discharge, under medical conditions would be somewhat of a better / sweet experience for Jessica. She enjoyed and was proud to serve in the Army, an was looking forward to the day she can do her duty, leave the Army, and pursue her dreams of becoming a teacher. The bitter part of this is the fact she had to go through hell in order to get this very important Discharge. When I received my Honerable Discharge, I had mixed feelings, but it gave me a change to move onward with my life and pursue my goals. Now, she has to try to put the past in it's proper perspective and place and move ahead with her life!! Jessica, I would like to wecome you back to the Civilian World and many, many happy days ahead!

[mstrunn55]

Let me add a welcome back to civilian life Jessica, you did your duty and made us proud, now pursue your dreams and get well.

[JessicaL03]

Well Jessi welcome back to civilan life. We are all very proud of you, and I as well as many others will hold you in our hearts and minds forever. We are very proud of you American Angel... I hope we continue to hear of the wonderful progress your making in your health and your lifes ambitions.

God bless you Jessi!!!!

[lanieer416]

To Jessica I salute and thank her for her service. She helped defend my right to be here and represented her country well. Good luck to her and I hope that she is able to find peace and happiness in her future. I'm sure that she will. She seems to have special people that surround her.

[loudboy]

Yes Welcome back to Civilian life. And may you have a speedey and full recovery.

[fastaljr]

Welcome back to civilian life Miss. Lynch, I hope you can now live out the rest of the rest of your life as you wanted. Good Luck.