Her name has been on the hearts and minds of Americans. Now, it can be on their stereos as well.

Jessica Lynch captured the attention of millions during her imprisonment and rescue from Iraqi strongholds. Now a young songwriter from Connecticut has put her pen to paper to honor the Mountain State hero in a song titled "Welcome Home Jessica to West Virginia."

Anna Horoschak of Stamford, Conn., has not met Lynch, but the 17-year-old honor student took note of the soldier's ordeal and connected with the image of the smiling young woman in uniform being broadcast around the world.

Anna's manager, Suzanne M. Buckley, said the teen was quite distressed by events in Iraq, as well as terrorism closer to home. After hearing of Lynch's release, Horoschak was more confident that things would indeed work out for all involved.

But she wanted to do more to express her appreciation for the men and women in uniform - especially Lynch, Buckley said. Then inspiration struck as suddenly as Allied forces on the desert sands.

"Anna said to me, 'Something unbelievable happened to me today ... I was walking outside and this message came to me in a song. I was overwhelmed with this melody and lyric,'" Buckley, said.

Horoschak wanted to record the song she had envisioned, and Buckley began the arduous process of getting an album together.

Buckley told the aspiring singer/songwriter, "Anything is possible."

The result was a CD compilation of inspirational songs with Horoschak and two other artists.

"This is something we've done completely on our own," Buckley said. "We feel it is the American way. We've had so much luck. Anna says it is God's hand at work. She says she really can't believe it, and I can't believe it, either. Everything has just gone so well for us."

Like Lynch, Horoschak's journey to this point has been riddled with obstacles. Born in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland, she and some members of her family moved to the United States when she was 18 months old, Buckley said.

Upon arrival, she underwent two corrective surgeries to repair a birth defect on her face. The operations could not be performed in her native country. Eventually her entire family was able to join her. Her mother came to this country with only $5 in her pocket and a dream of a better life.

Buckley said it is Horoschak's dream to sing her song to Lynch in person.

"She (Anna) is ready, willing and able to come to West Virginia at any time," Buckley said.

For more information about Anna Horoschak or to listen to excerpts from her album, log onto www.welcomehomejessicasong.com.From one teen to another

By Elizabeth Davis/REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Her name has been on the hearts and minds of Americans. Now, it can be on their stereos as well.

Jessica Lynch captured the attention of millions during her imprisonment and rescue from Iraqi strongholds. Now a young songwriter from Connecticut has put her pen to paper to honor the Mountain State hero in a song titled "Welcome Home Jessica to West Virginia."

Anna Horoschak of Stamford, Conn., has not met Lynch, but the 17-year-old honor student took note of the soldier's ordeal and connected with the image of the smiling young woman in uniform being broadcast around the world.

Anna's manager, Suzanne M. Buckley, said the teen was quite distressed by events in Iraq, as well as terrorism closer to home. After hearing of Lynch's release, Horoschak was more confident that things would indeed work out for all involved.

But she wanted to do more to express her appreciation for the men and women in uniform - especially Lynch, Buckley said. Then inspiration struck as suddenly as Allied forces on the desert sands.

"Anna said to me, 'Something unbelievable happened to me today ... I was walking outside and this message came to me in a song. I was overwhelmed with this melody and lyric,'" Buckley, said.

Horoschak wanted to record the song she had envisioned, and Buckley began the arduous process of getting an album together.

Buckley told the aspiring singer/songwriter, "Anything is possible."

The result was a CD compilation of inspirational songs with Horoschak and two other artists.

"This is something we've done completely on our own," Buckley said. "We feel it is the American way. We've had so much luck. Anna says it is God's hand at work. She says she really can't believe it, and I can't believe it, either. Everything has just gone so well for us."

Like Lynch, Horoschak's journey to this point has been riddled with obstacles. Born in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland, she and some members of her family moved to the United States when she was 18 months old, Buckley said.

Upon arrival, she underwent two corrective surgeries to repair a birth defect on her face. The operations could not be performed in her native country. Eventually her entire family was able to join her. Her mother came to this country with only $5 in her pocket and a dream of a better life.

Buckley said it is Horoschak's dream to sing her song to Lynch in person.

"She (Anna) is ready, willing and able to come to West Virginia at any time," Buckley said.

For more information about Anna Horoschak or to listen to excerpts from her album, log onto www.welcomehomejessicasong.com.