[hhardley@hotmail.com]

Jessica Lynch asks for prayers for families of mistreated Iraqi inmates




ASSOCIATED PRESS
1:48 p.m. May 9, 2004

MONTGOMERY, W.Va. – Former POW Jessica Lynch said prayers should go out to the families of Iraqi prisoners who have been mistreated by American military prison guards.

Lynch's comments came after she addressed about 150 graduating students Saturday at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

When asked her opinion of news reports of the mistreatment of prisoners, Lynch told reporters, "Pray for their families and keep up hope."

Lynch declined to comment on Army Pfc. Lynndie England of Fort Ashby, who is one of seven soldiers from the 372nd Military Police Company charged with mistreating Iraqi prisoners.

Lynch, a 21-year-old former Army supply clerk, became one of the most visible faces of the war when she was rescued from an Iraqi hospital on April 1, 2003. Her convoy was attacked after taking a wrong turn in the Iraqi town of Nasiriyah. Eleven American soldiers were killed and six, including Lynch, were captured.

Lynch, who is still recovering from injuries sustained when her Humvee crashed during the March 23, 2003, firefight, told the graduates she envied them because they were ending a process she has yet to start. Lynch joined the military to earn money for college so she could become a kindergarten teacher, but is waiting until she finishes therapy before beginning classes.

[Soprano84]

Y'know....if those soldiers accused has Jessica's class, this wouldn't even be an issue....