This is Jessica Buchanan. Jessica could be considered one lucky American.
In the fall of 2011, Jessica and a Danish citizen Poul Hagen Thisted were working with children on a demining project in the Somali town of Adow, when they were kidnapped by Somali Pirates. Held for ransom for over three months, the Somali's nearly killed their golden goose, Jessica.
Apparently, the Somali's refused a 1.5 million dollar ransom offer and many attempts to free the hostages by the Danish Refugee Council were unsuccessful. Sick, half starved and beginning to give up hope, Jessica was recorded explaining that she thought she had what was a serious kidney infection, and feared that she would soon die.
For Jessica, luck soon intervened.
On January 25, 2012 a group of United States Navy Seals, late one night raided the compound where the hostages were being held, killed nine pirates and rescued Jessica and Poul. They brought medicine for a sick and weak Jessica and incredibly, as they carried her to the location where they waited for the helicopter to lift them away, the navy seals delicately placed Jessica on the ground then the entire navy seal team gently laid down on top of her to protect her from danger.
They laid down on top of her...They placed their lives before hers and ensured that Jessica would get back to the US safely.
Was it luck?
Some say Jessica placed herself in a dangerous situation that she could have avoided. That being where she was increased her chances of danger dramatically and that the US should not negotiate with terrorists. Personally, I feel that's an argument for another day. What I think the most incredible thing in this story is this:
They laid down on top of her.....
Was it luck that a Navy Seal Team rescued her that night when time was running out for her?
Was she in the wrong place at the wrong time or was she at the right place at the right time?
Maybe luck had nothing to do with it, but Poul Hagen Thisted reportedly said, in his interview after their rescue, he considered himself "lucky" to have been held hostage with an American.
I can't say enough about our special forces. The put themselves in harms way every single day. And not for rewards, glory, whatever. Because it is the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteBravo Zulu men.
Like the pirates who were holding that boat captain hostage:
ReplyDeleteIf you're holding an American hostage, the last thing to cross your mind will be a 50 cal slug.
Personally I don't think they killed enough of them but as to her fortune...yes the Seals would place themselves as a protective barrier atop and a defensive perimeter around her, that is as they would tell you "their job."
ReplyDeleteHer being in Somalia trying to right an terrible past wrong puts her in the right place at the right time as did her surviving long enough to be rescued.
Yes, this was a lucky case.
ReplyDeleteI tend to lean more towards the Russian method of dealing with hostage situations.