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A 19-year-old Wirt County native is missing in action in Iraq. Jessica Lynch, who is about to turn 20, is from Palestine and is
a 2001 graduate of Wirt County High School. She is a member of the 507th Maintenance Company out of Fort Bliss,
Texas.
Department of Defense officials reported her unit was moving toward the front in southern Iraq Sunday to provide
maintenance to mobile infantry vehicles when they became separated from their convoy in the desert. Iraqi forces surrounded
the truck, killing some of the soldiers and taking others prisoner.
She may be among the soldiers paraded before cameras for Iraqi TV yesterday.
Greg Lynch, her father, said he and his family saw the news coverage of the attack. He said they were immediately fearful
she could be involved. A State Trooper and a representative of the Army came to their home Sunday night to report she was
missing in action.
Lynch was completing her first tour of duty with the Army and had just reenlisted for another four-year hitch.
Family members in West Hamlin, West Virginia were mourning the death of a state native killed in southern Iraq. Second Lt.
Therrel "Shane" Childers, was killed Friday during action. .
"That was his life. He graduated from high school and that was his determination. He grew up in the military. I'm sure that
planted some type of desire in his heart," said Brenda Childers, his aunt in Salt Rock, WV.
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