Posted on: Tuesday, November 11, 2003

Lynch longing for Hawai'i visit

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

So where in the world would former Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch want to go, now that she's on American soil and adjusting to life as a former prisoner of war?

Try Hawai'i.

In this week's Time magazine cover story (now on newsstands), Lynch said she re-enlisted from Texas a year ago with the notion that she might visit the Islands.

"I signed a paper saying they (the Army) would have to send me to Hawai'i if I re-enlisted," she told interviewers. Of course, Iraq entered the picture and changed her plans — and life.

Asked if she'd leave Palestine, W.Va., where she has roots, Lynch said yes — "but only because I want to travel ... to get out and see different things. I am still planning to go back to college. I would still like to see Hawai'i."

Perhaps a honeymoon? Lynch expects to tie the knot with Army Sgt. Ruben Contreras, but there's no word on their post-wedding plans yet.