Jessica Lynch is one of West Virginia’s most well-known female veterans, and now former prison of war is helping other women veterans in the state get connected to care. She’s been a motivational speaker at VAs, VFWs, American Legions. Last month, the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance announced the creation of the Women Veterans Program within the department and said Lynch would serve in a coordinator role. Lynch told Eyewitness News that one of the reasons they are starting this program is to travel the state listening to concerns and encourage women to utilize VA services like connecting with female veteran service officers or VSOs. Lynch is a Wirt County native who was a prisoner of war in Iraq and was seriously injured and held captive for nine days before her rescue. Lynch and the WVDVA are also encouraging veterans to reach out about their challenges and barriers at: WVDA@wv.gov