Jessica Lynch: Reflections of an Iraq War POW & Special Performance by US Army Band "Pershing's Own"

Join us at the Military Women’s Memorial as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a special afternoon of commemoration and pride. The event includes a spectacular Women’s History Month concert by the world-class women musicians of the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Players. The performance will feature instrumental and vocal presentations of music by many of America’s women composers. We will feature a special Women’s History Month commemorative program in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It will be our distinct honor to welcome Purple Heart recipient and former Iraq War POW Jessica Lynch to keynote a fireside chat about her compelling story of service, captivity, camaraderie, and recovery. The afternoon will conclude with light refreshments, conversation, and a book-signing opportunity of Jessica’s book, I’m A Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story. UNITED STATES ARMY BAND "PERSHING'S OWN" PERFORMANCE Join The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" for a special performance. Women musicians from "Pershing's Own" Chamber Players will perform music by American women composers with instrumental and vocal works. This concert is free and open to the public, but reservations are required due to limited seating. FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JESSICA LYNCH Two decades ago, just three days after the March 20, 2003-start of the Iraq War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, a convoy element of the 507th Maintenance Company was ambushed by Iraqi military forces. At the end of a fierce firefight, 10 American Soldiers were dead and several more injured. Of the wounded, seven were captured, becoming Operation Iraqi Freedom’s first American prisoners of war. On the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s 20th anniversary and in honor of the brave men and women of the 507th who heroically and selflessly battled the enemy during the attack of March 23, 2003, the Military Women’s Memorial will host a special event at the Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery. Join as we welcome Purple Heart recipient, former 507th POW, and honored guest, Jessica Lynch, who will share her compelling first-hand story. In the end, America would lose 11 soldiers as a result of that March 23 battle, each a hero and national treasure. In their honor, the nonprofit running community wear blue: run to remember, will join the event, sharing a display of the Fallen portraits. ABOUT THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER Jessica Lynch is a former United States Army Private First Class (PFC) and a former prisoner of war. On March 23, 2003, she was serving as a unit supply specialist with the 507th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi troops. Lynch was seriously injured during the attack and taken prisoner by Iraqi soldiers. Ten soldiers in the company were killed in the ambush. Six other soldiers were captured and five were subsequently rescued 21 days later. One of the six, Lynch's best friend and battle buddy, PFC Lori Piestewa, received a serious head wound and later died in an Iraqi civilian hospital. Lori was posthumously promoted to Specialist and awarded the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medals. Lynch’s subsequent recovery by U.S. Special Operations Forces on April 1, 2003, was the first successful rescue of an American prisoner of war since World War II and the first ever of a woman. On July 22, 2003, Lynch was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Prisoner of War Medal. Jessica has appeared on Good Morning America, Today Show, CBS Morning Show, Huckabee Show, CNN, MSNBC, David Letterman Show, Fox, Prime Time on ABC with Dianne Sawyer, E News!, CBN, and various local networks throughout the country. She has appeared on numerous magazine covers such as TIME and People. She has been named West Virginian of the Year as well as Glamour Woman of the Year. In 2014, Lynch made her acting debut as specialist Summer L. Gabriel in the 2014 film Virtuous. Her role was loosely based on her own experiences during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. ABOUT THE MILITARY WOMEN’S MEMORIAL The Military Women’s Memorial is the only historical repository documenting the service of all women who’ve served in and with the nation’s military, beginning with the American Revolution. Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, it features an education center, innovative and interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories and artifacts, and engaging programs and events for all generations. It has been twenty-five years since the Military Women’s Memorial was dedicated and opened to the public on October 18, 1997 – still America’s only major memorial to honor and tell the stories of all of the nation’s women who have served in and with our military, beginning with the American Revolution. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org. *This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are required as seating is limited

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Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/1558900-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/1558900-2

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