DJ, my friend in Forsyth County is a good man...an honorable man, and a very good friend. He was taking up for me, and I appreciate him for it.
I agree about Jessica....and I call her Jessica, because I feel like she's my little sister, maybe even the daughter I never had. Her ordeal has nearly torn my heart out. I wish I could just fly to Germany, give her a big hug, and tell her everything is going to be alright....just as I would do for my sisters, or Maddie...my niece..my little angel.
Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Jessica might never be the same again...she may never walk again. I can't describe in civilized language the rage and hatred I have for those animals that hurt her. She's broken up all over...they were trying to starve her to death. We may never know some of the torture she endured....rape, electric shock, being forced to watch her friends being tortured to death.
I'm not trying to put Jessica on a pedestal; but I took her plight very personally...because she reminds me so much of Becky...her smile reminds me of my mom. I don't look at her as a soldier, but as family. When she was rescued Tuesday evening, I cried...I screamed and cheered...just as if it were one of my own sisters. Just as I grieved when I thought she was dead, I tonight hurt because I know she's hurting. She may be a brave soldier, but she's fragile...those little bones won't withstand abuse mine will. I know, because I'm a big brother. My sis was a tomboy, but I was always very careful with the rough housing...because of those little arms, those slender legs--and Becky was larger at 16 (5'5-112) than Jessica is at 19.
I agree...it's going to take a lot of therapy, grief counseling, and TLC for Jessica to be well again...a very long road to recovery. There's a reason her parents aren't in Germany tonight. She's in no condition for a family reunion...this isn't a civilian hostage "roughed up". This is a young woman tortured beyond belief, both mentally and physically. I keep hearing stories that she is in great spirits, but has given no details of how her injuries occurred. That alone scares the daylights out of me...because I know all about repressing feelings, hiding pain. I'm afraid some may be mistaking her defense mechanism as "tough as nails". I heard she didn't flinch when being slapped by an Iraqi thug....an abused child will do the same thing when slapped in the face over and over again...almost as if they are in a trance/ haze.
To know any human on earth has suffered like that makes me sick...when it's a little country girl with a pretty smile that reminds you of your sis, the feeling is total horror. I'm in agony for Jessica tonight....just as I felt my little sister's labor pains in 1995. I can't give Jessica a hug or reassurance that big brother is there, and everything will be okay. All I can do it pray
