Slain Soldier's Father Criticizes Lynch's Book Deal
Kiehl Says Lynch Is 'A Profiteer'
POSTED: 9:02 AM CDT September 4, 2003
COMFORT, Texas -- The father of a Comfort soldier killed in an ambush in Iraq that former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch survived said that Lynch's million-dollar book deal will taint the memory of the soldiers killed in the ambush.
"Pretty severe, isn't it?" Randy Kiehl (pictured, left), the father of Army Spc. James Kiehl, said in an exclusive interview with KSAT 12 News Wednesday from his home in Comfort. "That she makes money off the death of my son and off the deaths of so many others."
James Kiehl (pictured, below) was among seven members of the 507th Maintenance Company stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso killed in the ambush on March 23 near An Nasiriyah. Lynch survived the attack and was taken prisoner of war. She was later rescued from a hospital and became a national hero.
On Tuesday, a publisher announced that Lynch signed a $1 million deal for a book that will tell the story about her capture and rescue.
"Where's the million-dollar book deal for the other members of the 507th who were killed?" Randy Kiehl said. "How do they tell their story?
"Now, she's a profiteer because what she did was in the line of duty."
Randy Kiehl said he also blames the publisher and others "who waved that million-dollar check in front of her."
Kiehl said he plans on reading Lynch's book, due out in November, to find out what it says about his son.
Kiehl added that he's glad Lynch survived the attack.
"Pretty severe, isn't it?" Randy Kiehl (pictured, left), the father of Army Spc. James Kiehl, said in an exclusive interview with KSAT 12 News Wednesday from his home in Comfort. "That she makes money off the death of my son and off the deaths of so many others."
James Kiehl (pictured, below) was among seven members of the 507th Maintenance Company stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso killed in the ambush on March 23 near An Nasiriyah. Lynch survived the attack and was taken prisoner of war. She was later rescued from a hospital and became a national hero.
"Now, she's a profiteer because what she did was in the line of duty."
Randy Kiehl said he also blames the publisher and others "who waved that million-dollar check in front of her."
Kiehl said he plans on reading Lynch's book, due out in November, to find out what it says about his son.
Kiehl added that he's glad Lynch survived the attack.
Previous Stories:
- July 23, 2003: Kiehl Baby Helps Comfort Family Heal
- April 14, 2003: Comfort Gives Final Goodbyes To War Hero
- April 8, 2003: Slain Soldier To Be Buried In Center Point
- March 25, 2003: Comfort Native Missing In Action
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