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Date Posted: 13:13:34 04/07/03 Mon
Author: e_mc2
Subject: Well, I think my concern has more to do with other POWs
In reply to: Blondie 's message, "Rescued POW To Be Given Maui Trip (M)" on 08:02:48 04/07/03 Mon

I did see where Marshall University is giving her a full-tuition scholarship. I really didn't have any reaction to that other than, "Awww, that is so nice!"

But this trip is disturbing to me in that it seems to disregard the plight of other POWs, both from this war and the past, as well as her dead comrades.

I'm not necessarily saying it's wrong to give her and her family this trip. I'm just wondering if it should be so publicized. Since I've never been in such a situation, I really don't know, but I have to wonder how I'd feel if I was a POW from another war that had been rescued *or* if I had a family member from JL's troop who had been executed.

With all due respect Blondie - I do think there is quite a difference between breaking an ankle and actually being held captive and tortured. I understand your sentiments, but I don't think that was a valid comparison.

Anyway, I do think JL deserves "hero" status. My concern is regarding the countless other "heroes", both from this war and past wars. All the media attention - in the form of "awards" - that JL is getting seems to me to have the potential of lessening the sacrifices of others who have served. Jessica Lynch has indeed made a tremendous sacrifice - far more than the majority of us will ever even have the opportunity to endure. But there is a minority of people who have served and sacrificed in the same capacity - some even moreso in that they've given their lives. What sort of trip will their families be getting?

This is where the notion of rescued POWs take on an air of irony. You want to rejoice, but then that rejoicing is constantly overshadowed with the recognition of what's been lost by others - and how do you reward *that*. To some extent, one might think that the benefit of survival is reward in itself.

I really don't know. I don't want to sound pessimistic or, as Blondie said, jealous. I'm not. I do think highly of JL's plight. I just wonder as to how rewarding of *her* plight affects the plights of others who've served, been captured, maybe tortured, or maybe even executed.

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