WASHINGTON, DC -- Army Private Jessica Lynch told a congressional hearing Tuesday morning that "Americans are capable of creating their own heroes" without the military making them up.

Lynch, a West Virginia native who got tremendous coverage after a military team rescued her from a makeshift Iraqi hospital, joined relatives of NFL-star-turned war hero Pat Tillman in discussing her time in the limelight.

"This is not a time for finger-pointing, but a time for proof," she told the panel.

Lynch's platoon was hit by a rocket and grenade attack on the initial drive to Baghdad in 2003. Three in her vehicle were killed outright and 11 died in the resulting skirmish.

"Tails of great heroism were being told," said Lynch. "Little Girl Rambo who went down fighting. It was not true."

Lynch, who is now attending college classes, said if the stories inspired troops, then perhaps they were of some good.

"But why did they lie and try to make me a lesson when the real heroes were my fellow soldiers who rescued others or fought till the death" she asked.

Lynch said received criticism for having made money from her story, but she noted that "I have injuries that will last a lifetime."

She said she had a six-inch gash in her head and severe back and leg problems. To this day she has no feeling on her left side from her knee down.

Lynch also told of the counselors in the hospital who tried to help her work out emotional and physical issues after she was sexually abused and raped in custody.

Lynch said she remains 100 percent behind the troops in Iraq.