Each year, the West Virginia Chapter of the Veterans & Allies Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) holds a signature event for its members. This year’s gathering – held at Mon Power Headquarters in Fairmont – featured Jessica Lynch, a former U.S. Army soldier and prisoner of war (POW), who shared her story.

On March 23, 2003, Private First Class Lynch – a native of Palestine, W.Va. – was crossing the Iraqi desert with the 507th Maintenance Company when her convoy was ambushed and caught in enemy crossfire. Eleven American soldiers died in the attack, including the four who were traveling with Jessica. Private Lynch was taken prisoner and held captive in an Iraqi hospital for nine days.

Jessica was seriously injured in the attack and sustained multiple injuries and fractures, including broken bones in her back, right arm, right foot, left femur and left tibia, a laceration to her head and several cracked ribs. On April 1, Jessica was rescued during a carefully planned operation that included multiple branches of the military and several special operations forces, including the Marines, the Green Berets and the Navy SEALs.

After her release and subsequent rehabilitation, Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in communication studies. Today, she speaks to corporate employees, veterans, university students and with other groups about her experiences as a POW. She also continues physical therapy for the injuries she sustained and still resides in West Virginia.

“This was a great opportunity to hear Jessica’s story of courage, perseverance and heroism,” said Joe Heubi, Operations Manager, and co-chair of the Veterans & Allies EBRG West Virginia Chapter. “As a former Marine, I know that Jessica encompasses our company’s core value of Integrity – acting ethically with honesty, humility and accountability.”

Joe added that they were pleased with the turnout for the event, with 73 employees attending in person and 160 participating virtually via Teams. After the meeting, Jessica met with attendees, taking pictures and signing copies of her book.

Jessica Lynch poses for a photo with the more than 70 employees who attended her presentation at Mon Power Headquarters.