STORM2K

And now I can spill the beans...hehe!

Wednesday night my friend gospel singer Eric Horner and his wife Debby ate dinner with Jessica Lynch and her family in West Virginia. It was set up by a local church and local officials Eric and Deb know; Eric sung at the church last night, and performed two shows tonight at the Wirt County fair....with Jessica and her folks in attendance.

I've known about it for over a week, but was sworn to secrecy by Debby....to keep media from harrassing them and the Lynch's (see dad, I CAN keep a secret

I'll bet that was a very special time for all of them.

I know it was....a friend of both Eric and the Lynch family in Wirt County put together a video of Jessica's West Virginia homecoming...with Eric's song "She is a Hero" as background music. Debby said it was totally awesome!

Sounds really cool... Why didn't they invite YOU though? I bet you would have really liked to see Jessica Lynch and talk to her. And tell her about the site you put together for her...I bet she'd really enjoy it...maybe you will have the chance one day.

Colin, I was invited to attend the Wirt County fair. I've been invited by several kind residents of West Virginia to come and visit, they'd love to treat me to dinner because of the website.

I didn't create it for that reason....not to recieve gifts and not to meet Jessica Lynch. I created it only to make Jessi feel better, to help her recover....it was my get well card to her.

She saw my website....way back in late April. Her brother Greg emailed to thank me. He said Jessica was thrilled, and told him to thank me (her words were "it's so cool...tell Perry I said thanks"!

I've felt toward Jessi as a younger sister or cousin ever since she was missing in late March. I did nothing special...except make the exact same type of webpage I'd make for my little niece Madison if she were hurt badly or sick in the hospital.

I don't care whether I ever meet Jessica or not...if I do, it will be a great honor; if not, I've already recieved my reward....her kind words thanking me; and my sweetheart eight year old niece telling me "Thanks for making the site to make Jessica feel better...I love you uncle Perry"!

Let me tell you....those words from Maddie meant more to me than anything on earth....more than a million bucks!

Here's a nice article about Jessica and my good friend Eric Horner that a friend in West Virginia just emailed me.

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Gospel entertainment tops Wirt Fair

Article in the Parkersburg News
By CONNIE DALE

August 8, 2003 CAMP BARBE - Those attending the Wirt County Fair Thursday evening were treated to a night of gospel entertainment, livestock showmanship, all-terrain vehicle races and a visit from native daughter Pfc. Jessica Lynch.

Lynch, who arrived in Wirt County from Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital on July 22 after being the first rescued prisoner of war since World War II, came to the fair primarily to meet singer Eric Horner, whose song "She's a Hero and a Woman Too" has become linked to Lynch, said friends and family at the concert.

Horner, a gospel and patriotic lyricist, wrote the song well before Lynch's accident in Iraq and subsequent capture. "I've always believed women serving in the armed forces have been overlooked," he said. "Men do something heroic and they are immediate heroes. The song was an attempt to bring to life the female heroes."

Lynch arrived to the fair with her parents, Greg and Deadra, just in time to hear Horner begin the patriotic section of his concert. Before Horner began to sing his tribute song, he announced Lynch's presence to the crowd which immediately began clapping and gave her a standing ovation.

Before Lynch's arrival Horner had asked the veterans in the crowd to stand for applause, which he does at all his concerts.

A large television played a tape of Lynch's arrival home to Elizabeth while Horner sang his song. Lynch listened as people were hugging her and wishing her well. This was Lynch's first appearance at a gathering this large since her arrival home.
She talked and greeted everyone who stopped to talk.

Horner, who has friends in Elizabeth, has been spending time at functions lately in the county. "We were here for the Relay for Life and fell in love with the people and the area," he said. "We were asked to come sing and we couldn't turn it down. I hope to be back again very soon."

When meeting Lynch, Horner told her she was a hero to him and an honor to meet her. "I wasn't sure she would be able to be here this evening," he said. "But, I'm glad to finally meet her."

How nice Perry! I am so glad your friend had that opportunity! That must have been a very exciting time for him!