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CNN Live Sunday

Interview With Friend Of Jessica Lynch

Aired July 20, 2003 - 18:33   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


WHITFIELD: War hero Jessica Lynch is expected to return to her small West Virginia hometown on Tuesday. The POW was rescued from Iraqi capture after her Army convoy was ambushed in late March.
Well, Lynch was held captive for three weeks before U.S. Special Forces swept in rescuing her during a daring nighttime raid. The incident thrust Lynch in to the media spotlight and instantly turned the 20-year-old Army private into an American hero.

Well, joining me now on the telephone from Marmot, West Virginia is Glenda Nelson, a good friend of the Lynch family where folks are already getting ready for this big welcoming for Jessica Lynch, and Glenda, have you spoken with Jessica Lynch anytime soon and how is she feeling?

GLENDA NELSON, LYNCH FAMILY FRIEND (via telephone): She's doing great. I spoke to her one day last week. My husband and I call her frequently.

WHITFIELD: And she, I imagine, is ecstatic about the notion of being able to be released from Walter Reed hospital in Washington and make her way back home.

NELSON: Yes. She's ready to come home.

WHITFIELD: How is she feeling?

NELSON: She's feeling good after everything she's been through and her spirits are very high.

WHITFIELD: And what is being planned there in her hometown? Can you see evidence already of folks getting ready for her parade and her arrival?

NELSON: Well, we haven't been to Palestine during the week but I'm sure there's yellow ribbons flying everywhere and the people there will probably be lined up along the street.

WHITFIELD: And what are folks there talking about or at least in your community about how they want to make sure that she gets the warmest welcome possible?

NELSON: Well, I really can't answer that. I think there's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement. I think they'll postpone any major party until she can participate.

WHITFIELD: The town of Palestine is a very small town. People who know her have always said that she wanted to eventually come back home and perhaps even teach there. Do you know much about what her future plans are now?

NELSON: Well, I know she wants to go to school. I know she wants to be a schoolteacher and follow in the footsteps of her Kindergarten teacher and I'm sure she'll accomplish it.

WHITFIELD: And what kind of lessons do you think she, you know, would best be able to pass on to some of the young people in that community?

NELSON: I'm sure she has a lot of lessons she can pass on. Of course, you know, I don't really think we know those right yet but I think she can show a lot of bravery and how strong women really are.

WHITFIELD: All right, Glenda Nelson thanks very much for joining us on the telephone and I know everyone there is really looking forward to Jessica Lynch's arrival on Tuesday back home to Palestine, West Virginia.

NELSON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired July 20, 2003 - 18:33   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WHITFIELD: War hero Jessica Lynch is expected to return to her small West Virginia hometown on Tuesday. The POW was rescued from Iraqi capture after her Army convoy was ambushed in late March.
Well, Lynch was held captive for three weeks before U.S. Special Forces swept in rescuing her during a daring nighttime raid. The incident thrust Lynch in to the media spotlight and instantly turned the 20-year-old Army private into an American hero.

Well, joining me now on the telephone from Marmot, West Virginia is Glenda Nelson, a good friend of the Lynch family where folks are already getting ready for this big welcoming for Jessica Lynch, and Glenda, have you spoken with Jessica Lynch anytime soon and how is she feeling?

GLENDA NELSON, LYNCH FAMILY FRIEND (via telephone): She's doing great. I spoke to her one day last week. My husband and I call her frequently.

WHITFIELD: And she, I imagine, is ecstatic about the notion of being able to be released from Walter Reed hospital in Washington and make her way back home.

NELSON: Yes. She's ready to come home.

WHITFIELD: How is she feeling?

NELSON: She's feeling good after everything she's been through and her spirits are very high.

WHITFIELD: And what is being planned there in her hometown? Can you see evidence already of folks getting ready for her parade and her arrival?

NELSON: Well, we haven't been to Palestine during the week but I'm sure there's yellow ribbons flying everywhere and the people there will probably be lined up along the street.

WHITFIELD: And what are folks there talking about or at least in your community about how they want to make sure that she gets the warmest welcome possible?

NELSON: Well, I really can't answer that. I think there's a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of excitement. I think they'll postpone any major party until she can participate.

WHITFIELD: The town of Palestine is a very small town. People who know her have always said that she wanted to eventually come back home and perhaps even teach there. Do you know much about what her future plans are now?

NELSON: Well, I know she wants to go to school. I know she wants to be a schoolteacher and follow in the footsteps of her Kindergarten teacher and I'm sure she'll accomplish it.

WHITFIELD: And what kind of lessons do you think she, you know, would best be able to pass on to some of the young people in that community?

NELSON: I'm sure she has a lot of lessons she can pass on. Of course, you know, I don't really think we know those right yet but I think she can show a lot of bravery and how strong women really are.

WHITFIELD: All right, Glenda Nelson thanks very much for joining us on the telephone and I know everyone there is really looking forward to Jessica Lynch's arrival on Tuesday back home to Palestine, West Virginia.

NELSON: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com