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Thank you for being here.
It's great to be home.
I would like to say thank you to everyone who hoped and prayed for my safe return.
For a long time, I had no idea so many people knew I had been missing. But I'm beginning to understand, because I've read
thousands of cards and letters - many from children - that offer messages of hope and faith.
I would like to thank the people of this community, especially those who gave donations to the Lynch fund and who
volunteered their time and skills to work on my family's house.
Please allow me to thank the doctors, nurses and staff members of Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the excellent care
they gave me. I would also like to thank the staff of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany for their care and
support.
I'd like to thank the Fisher Foundation, Governor Bob wise and United States Senator Jay Rockerfeller for the roles they
played in helping my family to be with me in Germany and Washington.
I am also grateful to several Iraqi citizens who helped saved my life while I was in their hospital ... And then a unit of our
special forces soldiers did save my life.
I want to thank Sergeant Ruben Conteras ... "Ruben, you never let me give up. When I got down, you picked me up. When
I wanted to quit PT (physical therapy) you made me keep going ... Thank you and I love you."
I'm proud to be a soldier in the Army. I'm proud to have served with the 507th. I'm happy that some of the soldiers I served
with made it home alive ... It hurts that some of my company didn't ... I miss Lori Piestewa. She was my best friend. She
fought beside me, and it was an honor to have served with her. Lori will always remain in my heart.
I've read thousands of stories that said when I was captured, I said, "I'm an American soldier, too." ... Those stories are right
... Those were my words. I'm an American soldier, too.
Thank you for this welcome.
It's great to be home.
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