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Re: Lynch Homecoming Cost Locals US$48,000.00

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: December 18, 2003

"Lynch homecoming cost state more than $48,000

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- The state spent more than $48,000 on the July homecoming of former prisoner of war Pfc. Jessica Lynch, including more than $7,800 to provide security for the event.

Taxpayers footed the bill for golf umbrellas, balloons, items for the media and a makeup artist for Lynch, according to records obtained by WSAZ-TV under the Freedom of Information Act.

The state's total cost for the July 22 event was $48,073.50. The largest expenditure was $20,940 to Sound Rental Service in Parkersburg for items used at a media village set up for the celebration, WSAZ reported.

Security costs included $7,884.69 in wages for 35 State Police troopers who worked an average 10.7 hours. Another $5,000 was given to the Wirt County Development Authority to pay for cleanup.

The state also paid $160 for mileage and services for a makeup artist for Lynch.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Bob Wise said the expenses were justified because they dealt with security, safety and promotional issues for Lynch, who has brought positive attention to the state.

Several residents agreed, saying the money was well spent.

"I think she's gone on to be a wonderful spokesperson for the state and, because of that, I think $50,000 is a very small investment to portray that kind of image for the state,'' said Michael Schulz of Charleston.
Lynch, an Army supply clerk from Palestine, suffered multiple broken bones and other injuries when the 507th Maintenance Company was attacked in southern Iraq in March.

Her rescue from an Iraqi hospital days later by special forces quickly made an American hero out of the petite blonde who joined the Army to get an education and become a kindergarten teacher.

Lynch was scheduled to sign copies of her book, "I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story,'' written with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Rick Bragg, on Saturday at Wirt County High School, her alma mater.

"She went to war for the country . . . something people sometimes don't want to do,'' said Wilsie Cogar of Charleston. "She lost a lot of dignity there. She gained a lot of respect here.''

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