UniversityNews Jessica Lynch Keynotes Veterans Day Observance
From left to right, Alicia Besenyei, Vice President for Advancement, Jessica Lynch, President Kendra Boggess and Veterans Advocate, Dr. George WIlliams '11
4
Acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans on Veterans Day has become tradition at Concord University, and for 2019, the observance took on special significance. This year, former American Prisoner of War (POW) Jessica Lynch served as the keynote speaker for the annual program held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 in University’s Point’s Wilkes Family Chapel. Lynch, a former Private First Class (PFC) with the United States Army and native West Virginian, was injured and captured by Iraqi forces after her unit was ambushed in Iraq on March 23, 2003. Jessica’s recovery by U.S. Special Operations Forces on April 1, FALL 2019 CONCORD UNIVERSIT Y MAGAZINE
2003 is recognized as the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II and the first ever of an American female. She is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Today, 16 years since her capture and rescue, Jessica speaks around the United States about overcoming her obstacles and how perseverance helped her survive. The Concord University community was honored to be latest audience to hear her firsthand account and learn through her inspirational presentation about courage and patriotism.
