Jessica Lynch Americas 21st Century Sergeant York
GROUND ZERO, New York City, Apr. ... His name was Alvin Cullium York, born Dec. ... York was drafted in 1917. Growing up, York learned to shoot from his father. ... In the battle of the Argonne Forest in the fall of 1918, York was a private with the 82nd division. Threatened with life or death, York rallied to support his fellow troops. ... Sergeant York died in 1964. ... Lynch stack up to Sergeant York and Lt. Audie Murphy, two of Americas most famous war heroes? First, Jessica Lynch, 19, comes from simple roots. ... Palestine, the city where Lynch lives, is a dot on the map. Her humble roots are best summed up by her kindergarten teacher, Linda Davies, who read from a letter she got from Jessica six weeks ago. In it, Jessica was boasting of how much of the world she had seen already. ... Jessica Lynchs life is going to change, just as Alvin Yorks and Audie Murphys lives were changed by events greater than themselves. ... Jessica Lynch is a small town country girl. ... Patriotism is one of those that Jessica Lynch held to, as did Alvin York and Audie Murphy. Patriotism and the duty to support his country forced Alvin York to bear arms even though his religious views held fast against killing and death. ... Jessica Lynch has a family tradition of serving in the military. ... On March 23 Iraqi forces ambushed the US Armys 507th Maintenance Company and took a number of prisoners, including Jessica. In a script that seems as though Hollywood wrote it, an Iraqi lawyer became so upset at beatings given Jessica that he escaped to American lines and scrawled out the location of the hospital where Jessica was being held prisoner. ... Lynch. ... Alvin York, despite his religious convictions, stood up to the Beast of Terror. ... Jessica Lynch is alive today for a reason. ... Lynch, must have been stricken by the young womans resolve. ... Lynch stand up to the heroism of a Sergeant York or an Audie Murphy? ... But Jessica and a brave number of other women did. Now, the spotlight is on Jessica. And, the question is being asked--Is Jessica a hero? Does she rank up with the great heroes of American wars--the likes of York and Murphy? Jessica Lynch didnt kill--at least we dont know this at the moment--countless Iraqis before being captured. She didnt capture hundreds of them as did Sergeant York. ... Did Jessica Lynchs defiance of her captors achieve that degree? ... And why did they keep Jessica alive and kill the other prisoners? Was Jessicas defiance so much of a challenge that beating her until she surrendered her will gave Jessica life?