and one of them was a small young woman named jessica lynch.19, had joined the army to put away some money so she could study to become a teacher. but a wrong turn led her unit straight into an ambush. they tried to make a getaway, with bullets raining down on them. their vehicle crashed. all the other passengers were killed, including jessica's best friend, lori piestewa, a hopi end yan from arizona. jessica lynch lay unconscious, her left leg shattered below the knee, her foot splintered, her shoulder broken, her spine fractured in two places. captured, held for nine days. and then, the drama of that rescue, recorded for the world to see. as she was carried out of a hospital on a stretcher to an awaiting helicopter. and this is when we began to hear of her heroics. one government source built her up as a kind of rambo, fighting to the death. >> hard as nails. that's what they're saying about private first class jessica lynch. >> reporter: but when i sat down with her, the young girl from west virginia made it clear, there is also courage in t

first class jessica lynch was captured.ot her out in a harrowing rescue that we all witnessed. private jessica lynch joins me now on the telephone. jessica, it's nice to speak to you today. >> hi. thanks so much for having me on. >> now that the war is officially over and your fellow servicemen and women are coming home, what are your thoughts, especially from the standpoint that you survived this war? >> i am just so thankful these troops are getting to come home, especially around the holidays. it's such a joyous time to have your family home and to be with their loved ones. >> jessica, at the time the story broke, the story of your rescue, that is, was used to bolster public support for a war that was unpopular. you were hailed as a hero. looking back on this, what do you make of that sentiment now? >> you know, honestly, i don't have any heartfelt feelings or anything. i just kind of let it be in the past. i've set the record straight so many times, and i stood in front of congress, and i've let the world know that i'm

jessica lynch will finally be able to achieve a lifelong dream. aduated with a teaching degree today. she's wanted to teach since she was five years old. in 2003, lynch was held hostage after being captured by saddam hussein's forces. video of her rescue was seen around the world. she enrolled in the army to help pay for college. >>> the young marine from frederick, maryland may have a shot at a date with the first lady. lance corporal aaron leaks approached michelle obama at a toys for tots event yesterday. 20-year-old leaks politely asked if she would attend next year's ma roan corps ball with him. the first lady said she would love to go, but he'd have to ask her husband first. her assistant took down his contact information. >> he either gets a date or a fat lip. >> let's talk about this weather. pre pretty cold out there today? >> feeling much like december. i'm down visiting my sister in charlotte all week, it was 65 and sunny. north of richmond, 44 and drizzle. that's where we've been stuck ever since. cloudy skies outside today. that did no

the new accomplishment jessica lynch is celebrating today. >>> it looks like a bad accident. but it is anything but. we will explain. >>> our warmer-than-normal conditions continue. meteorologist bernadette woods [ female announcer ] holiday plus cookies plus memories pillsbury holiday star cookies start with pillsbury cookie dough easy. then add my own favorite frosting and sprinkles. just three ingredients to sweet memories. holiday ideas made easy. mmm... pillsbury crescent wrapped brie just unroll, wrap the brie and bake. it's so easy. now this might even impress aunt martha. pillsbury crescent wrapped brie. holiday ideas made easy. >>> wow. very nice. >> yeah. nice temperature. you know what? the temperature is deceiving. it looks chillier than it actually is outside, if that makes any sense. >> yeah, you know. we're on the mild side. my question to you, does it take anything from the holidays if it's 50 or 60 degrees on christmas day? >> i'm okay with it. >> yeah. i'm okay with it. like we were talking about holiday stress. i think it relieves a little bit. because you

jessica lynch is now 28 years old.still walks with a limp and says she has no feeling in her left leg. but she says she is happy to be alive and ready to start teaching. well, 2012 is almost here and weak housing and job growth continue to way down our prospects for economic recovery. europe's financial crisis still threatens the financial markets. that didn't stop folk from shelling out a whole ton of money 1 auto million dollars for pieces of the late actress elizabeth taylor world famous jewelry. 115 million. that's reportedly more than double the previous record for any auction, a single collection among the top sellers in this one a 16th century pearl necklace that fetched close to 12 million bucks. elizabeth taylor 33 karat diamond ring sold for nearly 9 million. three times the asking price. gerri willis got that one. she is here from the fox business network. i don't see it wear it later. you don't want to show up. people spend a lot of money. there is more stuff on auction as well. >> it's christmas time, shep

jessica lynch made headlines. when u.s. pow from the iraq war has conquered new challenges. susan candiotti has her story now. >> reporter: at 28 jessica lynch is celebrating a fooly earned college degree that could fulfill her dream to be a kindergarten teacher. what does reaching that goal mean to you? >> everything. >> reporter: everything because she's gone through so much. in march 2003 the army filmed her dramatic rescue from an iraqi hospital. lynch was a 19-year-old p. 0 o. held apart from others nine days captured after surviving an ambush during a supply mission. 11 fellow soldiers were killed including her best friend laurie. >> it's hard not to think back to that day and not remember those faces that were sitting beside me and how bravely they were performing. >> during the rescue unable to move because of injuries, lynch was terrified until american soldiers identified themselves. >> it's okay. it's okay. >> they were looking at me and saying we're american soldiers. we're going to take you home. yeah, i'm an a

. >>> and mission accomplished for jessica lynch. the army private rescued by u.s. forces after being captured in iraq in 2003, today she gets her education degree from west virginia university. >>> all day long you can stay on top of the very latest developments in those stories and others as they break on msnbc. tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc nightly news. finally, a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. nbc's natalie morales goes inside the new cuba with a look at how the less isolated nation is changing. and daniel craig talks about going beyond bond in his new film "the girl with the dragon tattoo". >>> keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

. >>> former prisoner of war jessica lynch wraps up her student teaching today as she prepares to graduate from college tomorrow. lynch was taken prisoner in iraq during an ambush in march of 2003. u.s. special forces rescued her several days later. she joined the army at age 18 to earn money for college and become a teacher, and tomorrow the 28-year-old mom graduates from west virginia university with a degree in education. >>> the u.s. soldier accused of leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive documents to wikileaks will make his first court appearance tomorrow. former intelligence analyst bradley manning has been in custody since his arrest in june of 2010. the military tribunal is taking place at fort meade maryland. >>> and here is a shocking figure. nearly one and two americans is living in poverty or qualifies as low income. the threshold for a family of four to qualify as low income is $45,000 a year. many are falling be low that line because of layoffs and cut backs. the hardest hit areas in the country are in the south and in the west. >>> there are more tax troubles for counc

jessica lynch gained notoriety when she was kidnapped after her convoy was attacked in 2003. the former army supply clerk joined up at age 18 to earn money for college. tomorrow, set to graduate from west virginia university with her teaching degree. >>> police say a 43-year-old man on a suicide mission was shot and killed by police after a standoff outside his house. it happened on the 7600 block of valley park road and that is where our delia is live. police still on the scene, we understand, delia. >> that's right, we are about six hours in. let's take a look at what police are doing here, focusing their energies in the front yard of the gunman. you can see, they were combing through evidence with rakes going through the front yard. you can take a look at that maroon car in the driveway. that is the gunman's car. it is riddled with bullets. >> i heard about 30 or 40 shots. >> he heard those gun shots about 30 minutes after sending his 16-year-old stepdaughter out to walk the dog. >> i was really frantic and at that time, i ran and looked outside and i immediately ran out t

some that i made up and some that exist this is for jessica lynch, war memories. i have forgotten myself. who i was, i cannot now know who i have become is a stranger i have forgotten myself there are other things to lose in battle eyes and guts, other sacrifices before life. vilost myself. i am not who i was before this war, i am not she who no longer dares to be my mother is so happy with this worn body returned home. we pretend that i am as whole as i look. but at night when i stair through the dark at the hidden image in the mirror i cannot lie to the stranger i see. i have forgotten everything. except my affection for children, my service to country and my insatiable fear. [applause] >> sizing up the cost of war. >> what is left but the shoes. shoes scuffed and torn, no longer having feet to carry them, shoes empty now. work boots bearing mud from the last field he had plowed with his father. empty now. red sneakers with white stripes brought back fwr america by her oldest son given to her youngest, both of them immediately rung outside kicking the soccer bal

. >>> jessica lynch, remember her? an iraq war p.o. wncw. rescued y in the fighting there. she graduated from college last night. we'll talk with her about that and her thoughts on the end of the war. >>> in this week's "office politics" doris kerns goodwin talks about president obama invited her and a select group for dinner at the white house three times already. >>> good morning, know, welcome to "weekends with alex witt." it's 9:00 on the east soes, 6 a.m. out west. developing now, a crucial day on capitol hill with the senate in session at this hour. senate leaders agreed on a compromise measure last night, ebs tending a payroll tax cut and jobless benefits for at least two more months. here's what the senate will vote on today. that two-month extension of social security payroll, language on the keystone pipeline. nbc's luke russert is busy on capitol hill with a good saturday morning to you, luke. >> reporter: good morning, alex. how are you? >> i'm great. i hope you are, too. i guess, are these billings all great? are they going to pass or are there still sticking p

. >> we asked jessica lynch, a past war veteran, what we should do when that it come home. and she said, simply, put out your hand and say, thank you. >> no matter how someone feels about the war, they should reach out to service members. and they worry that people will forget about them in the future. so that ice important to not just this one time keep it up. >> to remember, martha raddatz, thanks to you. and barbara walters sat down with the president this week and asked about the american troops coming home and how he views what they accomplished, how he marks the final troop home. >> are our troops coming home victorious? >> i think our troops are coming home with their heads held high. because despite an extraordinarily difficult situation, because of their sacrifice, because of their skill, they are handing over to iraq a country that has had a democratic election, that is working in a political fashion instead of a violent fashion to resolve differences. we now have a country that has the opportunity to build on dem democracy, develop its economy and that is because

jessica lynch is say she achieved a lifelong dream. the private first class graduated from west virginia university at parkersburg yesterday with a teaching degree. lynch has said she's wanted to be a teacher her whole life. in 2003, lynch was hold hostage after being captured by saddam hussein's forces. video of her rescue was seen around the world. she enrolled in the army to help pay for college. >>> well, we are ending -- or nearing the end i should say of 2011. we're looking bag at some of the biggest local stories we have seen this year. >> in fact, we're trying to pick the top 10 biggest stories of 2011. go to facebook page and tell us your pick for 2011. we'll tally the votes, present the results on air and online on new year's day. >> yeah. that address is facebook.com/nbcwashingtondc. don't forget the dc at the end. >>> bizarre developments in the case against the army private accused of leaking information that wound up on wikileaks. why his sexual orientation may be a key factor in his trial. >>> and legal troubles for the m

jessica lynch, army private captured by iraqi forces and rescued by u.s.orces from iraqi hospital later said the hospital treated her well. she wasn't the hero described in the original press reports. quote, they used me to symbolize all this stuff. it's wrong. i don't know why they filmed my rescue. since her captivity she's had 21 surgeries, now with a 4-year-old daughter and received her college diploma. she hopes to be a teacher. ken poll laac was bible for libl hawks and at brookings institution and was recently quoted in "the new york times" as an expert on iraq. scooter libby, a convicted per jur perjurier is vice president of hudson unit. doug fith is advising rick perry on foreign policy. paul bremer, disbanded the iraqi army, moved to vermont where he now paints landscapes of new england scenes. you can buy his artwork. what do my guests know they didn't know before the iraq war? i habe a cohd. yeah, i toog nyguil bud i'm stild stubbed up. [ male announcer ] truth is, nyquil doesn't un-stuff your nose. really? [ male announcer ] alka-seltzer plus

. >>> eight years ago, jessica lynch was a prisoner of war in iraq and now she's a college graduate. the private first class graduated from west virginia university at parkersburg. she graduated with a teaching degree. this was a long long time coming as lynch said she wanted to be a teacher all her life. in 2003 she was held hostage after being captured by saddam hussein's forces. lynch said she originally enrolled in the army to help pay for college. >>> it is 9:09. a case against the army private accused of leaking information that wound up on wikileaks. why his sexual orientation may be a key factor in his trial. >>> and legal troubles for the man who inspired "rudy." the charges ag get the technology they love, on the network they deserve. and video chat with up to 9 of your friends with the galaxy nexus by samsung, or get the samsung stratosphere, and for a limited time, get twice the data for the same low price. verizon. >>> so we have a variety of toys here. we're going to begin on the end here. we're looking at a recycle truck. this is great for the eco-conscious parent. >>

mission accomplished for 28 year old jessica lynch. former pow is now a college great. - graduate.rmy to earn money for college to become a teacher . she was taken captive in iraq and her arrest trust her in the national spotlight and now life is back to normal and finished student teaching in the elementary she once attend. >> fishing vessels and taking part in the annual of boats. that is a fox watch over america. >>> and you know, when you do your christmas shopping, do you look at the label to see where the gifts were made? instead of a bargain. they are looking for made in usa labels. what else they are doing to help the economy . plus, she stood by him in the good and cheating times. you remember that. kobe bryant and his wife are calling it quits. stay with us. the best approach to food is tkeep it whole for better nutrition. that's what they do with great grains cereal. they steam and bake the actual whole grain while the otr guy's flake is more processed. mmm. great grains. the whole whole grain cereal. confidence. available in color. depend for women is now peach. looks a

. >>> it is mission accomplished for an ex-iraq prisoner of war jessica lynch. she earned her college teaching degree are. graduation wasn't the only thing on her mind, though. lynch also had a message for returning service members. >> they finally get to come home. they're, you know, with their family, be especially during this time. it's something to be proud of and, you know, you want your family to be there during the holidays. so i'm thankful and grateful that they finally get to spend at least one holiday with their family. >> jess's ka lynch, one of 18 veterans who earned their diploma at west virginia university. >>> bradley manning an army private is accused of the biggest intelligence leaked in u.s. history, giving classified documents to the web site wikilea wikileaks. his attorney wants the court to consider his state of mind at the time of the alleged crimes. larry shawn acy says one issue in particular was discussed in detail today. >> the defense has been asking witnesses who testified at this article 32 hearing about breanna manning, an alter ego

. >> jessica lynch, following her dream as you are. you're going to continue to follow your dream. you'll be watching. this has been so super great working alongside you all these years. >> you know i love you. >> we'll all cross paths again. that's why i'm not saying good-bye. >> i'll call you later. >> so long. i'll tweet you. >> i'll never hear from you. >> just kidding. we'll be in contact. but everyone will continue to follow you and watch your career and grow and we'll all be rooting you on. >> thank you, fredricka. >> you're the best, t.j. >> you want me to stay? >> you want to stick around a little longer. >> i'm going to -- >> he's making a quick exit. thanks so much, t.j. all right. we've got a lot of big developments taking place today especially on capitol hill. the u.s. senate has given final congressional approval to a spending bill that will keep the government operating through september. it also voted to extend the payroll tax cut but just for two months. president obama is scheduled to speak in a half an hour. kate bolduan standing by on capitol hill. start with t

former iraq war pow jessica lynch, remember her? well, now she's a college graduate.graduated from the university of west virginia at parkersburg yesterday with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. lynch made headlines back in 2003 when she was captured by iraqi soldiers and was later rescued by u.s. forces. >>> the iraq war produced more wounded women service members than any other conflict before. cnn's kyra phillips has one woman's story. >> reporter: june moss and her 15-year-old daughter brianna are tight. laughing, dancing, healthy competition. >> i'm beating you. >> no, you're not. >> reporter: but just five years ago, this almost ended. >> when you attempted suicide by cutting your wrists. >> yes. >> and what you told me about your kids and what they said to you. >> i remember an ambulance came, and my kids asked me, mommy, why did you do that? the only thing i could say at the time is i had a bad day. that was one stupid mistake. two, i thank god i wasn't successful. >> what do you do now when you have a bad day? >> i try to limit those bad days, for

. >>> former prisoner of war jessica lynch wraps up her student teaching today as she prepares to graduate from college tomorrow. she was taken prisoner in iraq during an ambush in 2003. u.s. special forces rescued her several days later. lynch joined the army at age 18 to earn money for college and become a teacher. tomorrow, the 28-year-old mom graduates from west virginia university with a degree in education. >>> so, are you in the market for a new car? local safety group is out with its list of the safest models to protect you and your family. surae chinn is living in arlington, virginia, with this year's top picks. boy, there sure are quite a few of them. good morning, surae. >> reporter: good morning. there are a lot on the list. i want to name a few of them. the kia optima, volkswagen jetta, we've got the ford explorer. hyundai santa fe and you know, there were two, the most popular midsize cars didn't make it last year but they made it this time around and it seems that all automakers really stepped up their game when it comes to safety protection. >> the institute launched the to

. >>> and jessica lynch now has a college degree graduating from the university of west virginia at parkersburg yesterday with a bachelor's degree in elementary educati education. she made headlines in 2003 when capture and tortured by iraqi soldiers and the later rescued by u.s. forces. >>> nearly all american troops will be out of iraq with days. leaving a country that is fragile and people who are struggling. their hopes of recovery, next. >>> checking headlines overseas now. a state of emergency declared in kazakhstan after violent clashes between striking oil workers and riot police left ten dead. the unrest broke out when police tried to clear protesters from a main town square. one year ago today, the event that triggered the so-called arab spring. it happened in tunisia when a street vendor set himself on fire in an anti-government protest. demonstrations that followed spread throughout the arab world. >>> the president of afghanistan personally freed a woman from prison this week. she had been sentenced to 12 years after claiming she had been raped. she called -- he, hamid karzai, calm

jessica lynch gained notoriety when she was kidnapped and seriously injured after her convoy was attacked in 2003. the former army supply clerk joined up at age 18 to earn money for college. today, she graduates from west virginia university with an education degree. she will be a teacher. >> good for her. >> "time" magazine's person of the year, that issue hits stands tomorrow. the honoree this time, the protestor. time says in 2011, protestors didn't just voice their complaints, they changed the world. they say they want it to reflect the importance of demonstrations from the arab spring to occupy wall street and even recent russianrallies. the runner-up, admiral william mcraven, the commander of the u.s. raid that killed osama bin laden. >>> the republican presidential hopefuls have a key debate tonight. that story is coming up. >> plus, we'll tell you which state just spent a big chunk of its snow removal budget before winter officially begins. >> coming up on 5:42. let's see who's celebrating a birthday today. comedian tim conway is 78. >> former supremes member cindy birdsong is 72.

that's what this former army first class jessica lynch did. waiuated earning an bachelor's degree in elementary education. she made headlines in 2003 when captured and tortured by iraqi soldiers and later rescued by u.s. forces. >>> here's the image. many of you are seeing this at checkout stands this week. "time" magazine naming the protester as a person of the year. but as u.s. troops continue their pullout from iraq, there's another cover that we want to show you. from nearly nine years ago. fire and smoke, bim owing into the nighttime sky over baghdad. remember that? one of the most famous covers. the u.s. and its allies launching a massive assault on the capital. the beginning of war that seis only now reaching its conclusion. bobby ghosh, also "time's" former baghdad bureau chief and knows a lot about the war and the situation. thank you for joining us. good to see you. the world waged thursday as u.s. troops cased the colors in baghdad, which is ceremonial, but this is more than the marking -- it's marking an official end but more than

how about former army private first class jessica lynch.elementary education. you'll remember her story. one of the biggest stories early in the invasion of iraq. she was captured, badly beaten by soldiers loyal to dictator saddam hussein. she was later rescued by american forces. >> they finally get to come home. they're, you know, with their family especially during this ti time. it's something to be proud of. you want your family to be there during the holidays, so i'm thankful and grateful that they finally get to spend at least one holiday with their family. >> lynch is the nation's first female prisoner of war ever rescued. like so many other american vets, she's looking for a job. >>> a member of congress wants to prevent anyone who is using illegal drugs from getting unemployment benefits. republican jack kingston is the man behind this bill and he's here to talk about it. he joins me next. stay with us on this cnn morning. not anymore. ink, the small business card from chase introduces jot an on-the-go expense app made exclusively

jessica lynch, an iraq war p.o.w. graduated from college last night.itics" doris kerns goodwin will talk about why president obama asked her for dinner three times. >> should be fascinating. what do we know now we didn't know last week? we know the u.s. postal service dodged a bullet and will avoi closing any offices until mid-may but we know underlying problems exacerbated and created by congressional management remain. newt gingrich's rivals in the gop field won't let him off the hook for his long and lucrative career as vendor influence inside washington's lobby industrial complex. the republican establishment is both horrified and terrified by the notion of the former speaker winning the nomination and will exert itself strenuously to forestall such an eventuallity. we know until recently in republican nomination fights the establishment usually gets its way. we now know, thanks to a new poll from pew that populism is popular. we know even a majority of republicans think there is, quote, too much power in the hands of a few rich people in large cor

. >>> jessica lynch fulfilling her dream. she will graduate from college friday.as famously rescued after being held captive in iraq back in 2003. martha: congratulations to her. a fox news exclusive. defense secretary leon panetta speaking to fox news about the future of the u.s. drone campaign. iran has its hands on of the most sophisticated unmanned aircraft in our arsenal and they are of course refusing to give it back. no big surprise there. here is what secretary panetta told jennifer griffin about whether the drones will continue to fly over that region. watch this. >> it's pretty clear that those operations have to be protected in order to do the job and the mission that they're involved with. >> will those operations continue since they're being flown out of afghanistan? >> absolutely. >> absolutely was his unequivocal answer. fox news national security analyst kt mcfarland joins me now. you say the president handled this all wrong? >> it was bad enough losing it. that was bad. there are a lot of unanswered lessons how did we lose it. did they take contro