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'1 am a Soldier' Tells
I ess|ca Lyn ch's Story
Reviewed by David M. K/nchen ,
As Pm writing this review of'I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch.
Story" (Knopf, $23.95) I'm listening toNPR reports of at least 16 Italian
soldiers dying in a blast in Nasiriyah, the very same city where the 19-
Year-old West V'trginian, was critically injured and hospitalized.
Rick Bragg (SAil Over but theShoutin'and "Ava's Man") was the perfect
choice to chronicle the'story of Pfc. Jessica Lynch of Palestine, W.Va. and
The beauty of holiday traditions
is that they are a testament to
people taking time from their
ordinary lives to take a break and
refocus for the respective holiday. As
Thanksgiving approaches I am
reminded of a tradition our family
practiced when I was a youth.
This tradition helped to shape my
character as I grew into adulthood.
Our family contended that on
Thanksgiving it was as equally
important to go out and search for
people who were alone or homeless
and bring them to the house for
dinner and relaxation as it was for
our family to come together and
break bread.
We were a humble family being
raised by a single parent that
struggled much of the year.
However on Thanksgiving we might
have the %own drunk" and "local
elder who lived alone someplace in
our swamp" over for dinner.
In some cases we would go to a
homeless shelter and gather up
some people and bring them to our
house. Thanksgiving dinner was
always an interesting event.
I can't say today that I haven't
searched for that elusive stuffing
recipe that morn made. No matter
how I combine the same ingredients
the taste is never quite the same.
But as I think back it was another
little custom that we observed
during and after dinner that I really
remember better as the memories
fade with age.
Everyone who broke bread had to
tell a story about an event in their
lives that meant something to them.
Or they had to tell a story that
taught them a life's lesson. These
lesson stories were regarded as the
premier offerings of the holiday
dinner.
These "life's lesson" stories were
particularly interesting because
there were strangers at the table
oRen times and we eagerly awaited
these stranger stories. We had
heard many of our family tell the
same ones they told a year or two
ago. But the stories told by these
different folk were kind Of like
reading a book about something far
away or reading about a different
culture. They were always new and
different.
I would like to share a little story
about one such Thanksgiving when
we had gone to a shelter and brought
home a man who had an alcohol and
drug addiction. Hewas one of a few
different folks who took part in that
• dinner when I was about 8 years old.
I will call him Sam.
Sam had lived in Poland as a
youth and he had immigrated to the
United States after World War Two.
He had lost his entire family during
the war. When he landed in NY Ci.ty
the city swallowed him up and he
lead a life of crime for a number of
years. It got worse and he wound
up addicted. He had come to a town
near us to live and work in a shelter
run by a local church.
The churches often had dinners
during the holidays but the many
parishioners who were good people
and who staffed the shelter
somehow went home on Turkey Day
to spend time with their respective
families. In a way this was a break
for them. We didn't spend most of
our days doing this kind of mission
work so gathering a few folks at
Thanksgiving was the least we could
do to help.
To return to Sam, truthfully I
can remember the story Sam told
in any great detail that
Thanksgiving Day but events that
took place after Thanksgiving
dinner that year did.a lot to teach
me something about humankind.
The Saturday aRer Thanksgiving
my mother discovered that someone
had stolen some jewelry from her. It
was not the value of the jewelry that
was the issue it was about the fact
that we had taken these folks in and
then someone had stolen from us.
My mother's initial reaction was
that we were going to stop this
stranger custom in the future. This
was her anger talking. About four
or five days later at an evening
supper she explained that her
conscience had gotten to her and
that if someone whom we brought
to the house had to steal it was
therefore a part of the custom.
She explained that it didn feel
good and it surely was wrong of the
person who stole but we probably
had to expect it sometimes. The
issue was think of the innocent folks
who would be hurt if we ceased our
small custom. These folks were
thankful and this was as it should
be.
I admit that I was glad that she
had decided to continue the
tradition.
I clearly learned a lesson about
conscience getting the best of
someone by my mother's reversal the attack on her 507th. Maintenance Company convoy in Nasiriyah, Iraq
from canceling a tradition and then
putting it back in place a few days on March 23, 2003, just three days into the controversial war.
later. We discussed this aspect at our Bragg, like Jessica Lynch the subject of media controversy, grew up in
own supper that night. This is one Alabama among people very much like Jessica's parents Grog and Deadra
of those same discussions that Lynch, people for whom the military is often a step up and out of rural
poverty.
families everywhere have I believe Brag[[ left a prestigious;writing job at the New York Times after he was
at one time or another. These lessens
about letting your conscience in accused of by line improprieties that strike this veteran of five daily
before you act. Likely I might have newspapers--including The Milwaukee Sentinel and the Los Angeles
forgotten this dinner discussion Times--as hysterically overwrought. The New York Times lost a wonderful
feature writer when Bragg quit in anger earlier this year in the wake of
lesson about conscience entirely
except for the actions of Sam. the Jayson Blair scandal.
We had spent sometime trying to In a little over 200 pages, Bragg tells the story expertly and vividly. He
figure out what guest stole the lets Jessica Lynch ted her side of the controversial hospital rescue which
jewelry or even if it was one of our has plentyofag the Dog" elements for thNe seeking a comparison with
the 1997 Barry Levinson film. The doctors and nurses at Saddam Hussein
own family, who had done it. Truth
General Hospital had tried to bring Jeasicaynch to American forces, but
be told the main suspect was one of w ' • " '
my cousins who had been known to ere turned away by gunfire, Bragg writes, TheAmerican soldiers were
have this problem in the past. My rightly fearful of a suicide attempt and Pfc. Lynch was spirited back to the
mother also pointed this out when hospital.
she told us the stranger tradition Considering the conditions at the hospital, Jeesica Lynch received
would continue. It could have just excellent care. She wasrfearful that the doctors would amputate her severely
as easily been a member of our own damaged leg. The account of the convoy ambush doesn't say much for
family she contended who stole the American military equipment: These I€1-16 rifles that jammed repeatedly
jewelry. I confess that as I sat there in Vietnam, apparently are stilljamm" m, Humvees could use better crash
that night I felt like I was a suspect protection, considering the havoc sustained by Jessica and her comrades
myself even though I knew I hadn't in a 45-mile-per-hour crash. Maybe theAmerican military should consider
made the heist, buying Israeli Galil rifles to replace those M-16s; after all, a dozen years
My mother wanted us to feel what ago the military chose Beretta nine-millimeter sidearms to replace the
venerable .45s.
it was like to be suspected of Writing with sentiment but without sentimentality, Bragg tells of the
stealing. I believe that. This was a
common mother teaching tactic, welling up of support from people in West Virginia and throughout the
Let me return to Sam. It was a country for Jessica and her family. Her family'sA-frame two-bedroom house
Saturday morning about two weeks has been remodeled and doubled in size, to make it handicapped accessible
later when a strange car pulled into for Jessica. I sense Mm Bragg's book that and Dee Lynch, Jessi's
our driveway. A stranger got out and parents, more than a little overwhelmed by it all. Who wouldn be?
came to knock at the door. Not overlooked is Jeesia's friendship with Leri Piestewa, the Tuba City,
We all were hanging back when Ariz. comrade in arms who died in the March 23 attack. The Navajo soldier,
my morn an swered. Strangers the first Native American woman to die in combat in U.S. armed forces
cominginto Frog Hollow whenit was history, bonded with the green-eyed blonde Miss Congeniality from Wirt
muddy was a rare happening and it County, West Wtrginia, and Bragg captures this relationship expertly. He
was muddy that day. We all had to performs a similar task with the relationship between Jessica Lynch and
push the car out when it left. There her boyfriend--and now fiance--Sgt. Ruben Contreras. If nothing rise,
were three people in the car and one today's aArmy of One" takes people from homogeneous settings like Jessica's
of them was Sam. Wirt County to more culturally diverse venues.
It was Sam who stole the jewelry. Regardless of your views on the Iraq war, I Am a Soldier, Too" is Rick
He had come to return it. His Bragg at his best in portraying working class Americans doing what's
conscience had gotten the best of needed to survive in an economy where family-sustaining jobs are rapidly
him. He told us he had tried to find going overseas to China and other deeloping countries. The playing field
our house the weekend before but is being leveled, all right; pretty soon we?l all be level with China!
was unable to do so. He was so COUNCIL ON ***
ashamed that he didn't want to get It is by the odes that man is
out of the car. All three folks stayed AGING m It is by the rules of pro-
to eat supper that night. Wednesday, November 19th. priety that the character is
Now this event about conscience Menu: Chicken stew, long:grain estaldishe" r It is from music that
'and stealing and the goodness in all brown rice, broccoli, pear halves, the.ihiahlsl'eeeived. ...............
of us has really stuck with me. It is whole wheat bread, margarine, t =, --Confucius
permanentlylodged in mymind and Activities: Summers County Senior ***
I share it with the readers on this Center Quilters will quilt today.
day much the same as we observed Thursday, November 20th.
the story telling custom at our own Menu: Baked pork chops, creamier
Thanksgiving dinners, mashed potatoes, golden pork gravy,
But you know me it wouldn be a mustard greens, banana, whole
commentary unless I hadsomething wheat bread, margarine, milk.
to say. So the message is this. Take Activities: Penny Cole, L.S.W. will
time this holiday season to check Blood Sugars and Blood
remember the less fortunate. But Pressure Levels. Bingo for prizes
don't let it stop there. Please after lunch.
remember them all year round. Friday, November 21st.Menu:
Have a good holiday. Baked flounder with lemon sauce,
SCHOOL MENU oven brown petal, €rerin
salad, sliced peaches, whole whea
bread, margarine, milk. Activities:
Week of Nov. 17 thru 21 Gospel singing.
BREAKFAST Monday, November 24th.
Mort, Nov. 17th. Cereal, Cheese Menu: Mixed vegetable soup, cheese
toast, Variety 100% juice, Variety sandwich, whole wheat bread, loose
cold milk. leaf lettuce, three-bean salad, cherry
Tues.Nov. 18th.Egg/cheesernam crisp, milk.Activities: Bible study.
omelet, Fluffy angel biscuit, Tomato Tuesday, November 25th.
slice/jelly/honey, Variety 100% apple Menu: Split pea soup, ham salad
juice, Variety cold milk. with vegetables, homemade vanilla
Wed. No. 19th.Pop Tart, Cereal, pudding with blueberry sauce, whole
Variety 100% juice, Variety cold wheat bread, margarine, milk.
milk. Activities: Beth Plundey Nutrition
Thurs. Nov. 20th. Breakfast Outreach Instructor, Topic: Healthy
burrito w/salsa, Hash browns, Eating. Bingo for prizes aRer lunch.
Variety 100% orange juice, Variety "NOTICE PLEASE
cold milk.
Fri. Nov. 21st Cereal, Donut, OUR
Variety 100% juice, Variety cold PUBLICATION POLICY
milk. ...does not pei us to publish noma of
• LUNCH comme nature whkh woukJ be clasfled
Mort. Nov. 17th. Variety of hot as pa adveing.
yummy pizza to choose from, Garlic Higher newspdflt and other costs; p
bread sticks, Sunny yellow corn, Red pma tons for ckcuion; dte lhst
jiggy jello, Banana Fruit roll ups @ sttct odxiaJjuemant mt pm.
elemen., Milkshakes @ SMS & Umoled ems enter/h omca
become our property, but can usually be
SCHS, Variety cold milk. Water rstrleveduponpub1calion.
available.
Gue os ® not nocm
Tues. Nov. 18th. Macho nachos the views of the Hinton Nero.
w/seasoned beef & creamy cheese, stmsevasoorcanca
"Lotsa greens" garden salad w/non- any adveisement st my lime.
fat dressing, Spicy rice w/sour Cancellations will not be accepted by
cream, Salsa/refried beans, Perky per seer taw dos date.
pears, Variety cold milk, aco Bar @ The closing date and the deadline for
placing business advertisements is Fddey at
SMS & SCHS. Water available. 4:00 p.m. The closing date and he deadlina
Wed. Nov. 19th. Big cat burger forpKngcmSedisMoaday
@ SMS & SCHS, Deluxe at11:00 a.m.
cheeseburger @ elementary, Potato Publisher not bound by any terms or
wedges w/condiment you want! conddiof,pdntedorotherwise, appea0on
Cinnamon Krispie Cookie, Variety order blanks, advertiser's forms or copy
fresh fruit, Variety cold milk. Water instructions when in conflict with terms and
available, condiUoP on publisher's rate card or policies.
Advertiser and advertising agency will
Thurs. Nov. 20th. Corndog, iemify and t etb
Pasta salad w/bits of pepperoni/ so$cm, a,eeoacomct
cheese and fresh veggies, Beamfie for all contents mpplied to publisher, inclu9
Wesnies, Variety cold milk. Water text; representations and illustrations of
available, advertisements printe¢l, and for any claims
Fri. Nov. 21st. Hot turkey w/ aingfremcontentsindudm0,bCnot
gravy & dressing, Hot wheat roll, to defamation, invasion of privacy, copy
infdngemar, plagiarism, and in the case of a
Mashed potatoes, Grand green prepdntdeckpage.
beans, Variety fresh fruit, Harvest Thisnawspapeadnotbelalfae
cake topped w/applesauce frost, to Pnt pot c dulate ell or any part of
Variety cold milk. Water available, anyissue in wNch anadvertlswmmtacxpted
by e pobh is conUdned hze is dee
*** ts of C-od or nne, ses, no,dents.
No furniture so charming as z lack of newqkint or o/her clrcnstances i
beonr. ,
books. --Sydney Smith : ' ' " --
Y
Reed Carden
To Attend Young
Leaders
Conference in
Washington, DC.
In recognition of his maturity,
outstanding academic achievement
and leadership potential, Reed
Carden has been nominated to
become a Junior National Scholar
and attend the 2004 Junior National
Young Leaders Conference in
Washington, D.C.
Reed is a student at Randolph
Macon School in Front Royal, VA. He
is the son of Steve and Susan
(Shupe) Carden and grandson of
Margaret and Ray Shupe of Hinton,
WV and Mr. and Mrs. George
Carden of Rye, NY.
Jumping Branch
Elementary School
Perfect Attendance for ::
October
Pre-Kindergarten: Ms. Linda Harvey, ,'.
Teacher. Abigail Angell, Kelly Farley, Noah Graham,
Jonathan Kessler, Robert Swoveland.
Kindergarten: Ms. Ruth Livesay, Teacher. :
Richard Cales, Tucker Cyrus, Katie Peplowski.
First Grade: Ms. Vickie Cales, Teacher, Helen
Rachel Harper, Brittany Lilly, Skyler Santiago,
Richard Vaughn, Alyssa Wills. Second Grade: Ms. '
Rhnea Hylton. Jason Abshire, Zachary Boiling, Austin .
Cook, Dakota Cyrus, Joshua Graham, Laura Harrah,
Samantha McMillion, Scottle Morris, Matthew
Plumley, Dana Richards, Nathan Richmond, Tamara
Richmond, Logan Ward.
Third Grade: Ms. Connie Buckland. Gregory
Kessler, Michea Payne, Brandon Surbaugh, James
Weiss, Nicholas Wright.
Fourth Grade: Ms. Janet Richmond. Susan
Basham, Shyann Gales, Matthew EIlison, Brianna
Gwinn, Remington Kessler, Jennifer Lilly, Rhiarmon
Richards, Tyler Spicer.
Fifth Grade: Mr. Roy Cooper. Devin/kdkins,
Christopher Houchins, Jesse Pugh, Carlo Surbeugh,
Jessica Sweeney, Ashley Weiss, Jeremy Wood.
BIG BEND PSD
Big Bend Public Service District
will hold their monthly meetings on
the second Tuesday of each month
at the water plant at 3:45 pm. "
Big Bend PSD serves the areas of
Talcott, Hilldale, Pence Springs, and
Willowwood Road. The public is
invited to attend these meetings.
2rid Aezae Croceff
Open Under New
Management
Groceries, Housetold
Items, C/g. & Tobacco,
Wiae, Beer To Co.
9 tO 9 Mort.- Sat.,
1- 8 Sunday
We Accept Food Stamps
browse
the antique shops,
boutiques and galleries
for unique gifts for
anyone on your list!
• I
The Shops ofLemsburg,, v
Christmas Open House
I t05pm
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Beautiful decoratidns refreshmentsL music, and of course, St. Nicholas.
Downtown Historic Lewisburg, West Virginia (304) 645-1000
HOME OF THOSE DELICIOUS HOT DOGS!
N[W $100[CI&I00 AI I00AII00Y CU[[I00
imt; Quarter Peunder (everything), French Fries ........ $3.38- Reg. Drink Free
• Tue: Bar l Que (everything), French Fries. .... . .... $3.18- Reg. Drink Free
Wed: Rell. Hamilmllller [everything), French Fries ............. $2.98- Reg. Drink Free
Thurlk Hain & Cheese [werythlng),French Fries .............. $3.88- Reg. Drink Free
Fri: HOOllie [everything] ........................................................ $4.28- Reg. Drink Free
Serving full breakfast, including homemade
Waffles, Omelets & Pancakes from 6 to II am
466-1700 Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On the Hinton By-Pass
Ill!All YI!.. Ill!All YI!
Coming Soon
:artorw Hinton s Newest & Most
Unique Shopping Experience/
/u00t in time for Holiday
Shopping,/
Antiques, Co/lectibles, Quality
Crafts, Fiestaware,
Furniture, Lamps, and
Treasures
Watch for our Grand