STORM2K

Her physicians state that she has "situational amnesia", and cannot recall any of the time she was in Iraqi custody; from experience, this is a normal mental defense against the unimaginable, and IMHO she will require ongoing psychiatric help until she is able to remember, and therefore deal with it eventually.

The Army, on the other hand, is hoping this will be short-lived; she is the only soldier who can fill in the blanks on what happened during and after the ambush, and they consider her statement invaluable...if she ever makes one.

Sometimes the mind protects people from harmful memories. Sounds like this happened in Jessica's case. This may give some indication of how bad her captivity really was. Let's hope she gets plenty of help confronting these things and putting them behind her .

How sad for her. Thanks for the update streetsoldier.

Yes, Thanks Bill for the update. I hope that and I'm sure that the Army will make sure that she gets all of the psychological help that she will need.

GOsh this story gets more and more unusual. Hopefully her life will get back to normal soon.

I recieved an email from Jessie's older brother late Tuesday, and he told me the same thing...

Jessie was apparently returning fire when she felt a sharp pain in her right leg (gunshot), she took cover behind a truck (her gun had jammed), and there was a bright flash (RPG or hand grenade??)

The next thing Jessica remembered was being in the Iraqi hospital several days later. She was injured worse than we've been told by official sources (and is severely traumatized...doesn't want her mom to leave her bedside, wants to go home, can't stand the dark, etc). It's going to be a while before she's ready for cameras and interviews...if ever. That's why her family is being so tight lipped...they are all worried sick, stressed to the max I told Greg Jr to tell his mom and dad if they needed anything, needed someone to talk to, they had a friend here in Georgia.

On Friday morning several NASCAR drivers were allowed a short visit while they visited other injured soldiers...they included Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kenny Wallace, Ken Schraeder, and Jerry Nadeau (only hours before he was critically injured during practice at Richmond Motor Speedway). According to SI/ CNN the drivers were all shocked at how small Jessica is. Michael Waltrip was quoted as saying "Jessica is a pretty girl..friendly and very brave, but told us she was still in a lot of pain" (even with pain medication and over a month after being rescued). Jessica has a long, painful recovery ahead of her....and doesn't think she's a hero ("says she was just doing her job"). She's a hero alright...the bravest little hero I've ever seen

btw - Jessica's seen my website...her reaction was "nice site...it's so cool"!! (sounds just like my baby sis Beth would react

***Also...MANY THANKS to everyone that posted a get well message to Jessica on my site or the thread here at Storm2k. Those gracious messages of best wishes and letting her know how proud we are of her will give her a lot of motivation....God Bless Each of You!

Thanks,
Perry

Thanks Perry! I was glad to post on your guest book and in the thread here.

Richard

Thanks RP...I am very honored that you signed!

It just blows my mind how humble these kids are. Ron refused to have a celebration in HIS honor (only if it were in honor of all veterans); refused a parade...he still hasn't called me yet so I can take him & his parents to dinner.

Jessica is lying there broken like a porcelian doll that fell off a store shelf, and she "just did her job"...thinks she's nothing special (and that was from her own brother...who is also a very polite and humble young man).

Several of those NASCAR drivers were very stunned (per the online article)...those injured soldiers, including Jessica wanted their autographs, considered them the heroes -- and some people wonder why I respect military personnel so much. I thought I was a humble guy...but in all honesty, if I were Ron or Jessica, I'd feel like I'd done my part (paid my dues for America). I hear both of them WANT to continue their military careers, if they are able to pass the physical.

I understand that, when the Army medical staff deems her fit enough, some of the surviving 507th members may be brought to see her in hopes that she may recall some of the ordeal; the Army is seeking her testimony for prosecution of Iraqi war crimes re: POWs, and as mentioned, she is the best (and only) source for this information subsequent to the 23 MAR 03 ambush.