Memorial Day holds a solemn weight, felt most deeply by families like Linda and Steve Ellis. Their daughter, Jessica, a 24-year-old combat medic with the 101st Airborne Division, laid down her life in service to our country during her second tour in Iraq in 2008. Her parents received the heart-wrenching news of her passing on Mother’s Day—a day that, for them, has never been the same.
As a fellow military mom, I can only begin to imagine the profound sorrow that has accompanied them every day since. The memories left unmade, the dreams unfulfilled, the presence of a beloved daughter no longer near—these are griefs too deep for words. My heart aches for Steve and Linda today. May this devotional serve as a sacred space to honor Jessica’s beautiful life and the extraordinary sacrifice of her family.
Jessica’s sacrifice is not forgotten. Her life mattered deeply—to her family, to her fellow soldiers, and to this nation. But even more so, her life mattered to Jesus Who created her, Who formed her with purpose, and Who welcomes her now into eternal peace.
Though I never personally knew Jessica, I often wonder if our paths briefly crossed when she completed her basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in September 2004. That possibility fills my heart with renewed awe for every service member I meet. Every soldier carries a story, a soul, and a sacred purpose. We may not always realize it in the moment, but we are walking among heroes—loved fiercely by someone—and cherished eternally by Jesus.
Jessica’s life was a gift. Her service was honorable. And her memory, along with the pain carried by her family, should be held with reverence by us all. An article about Jessica in the VA News provides us with a glimpse into her military career:
Jessica went to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, where she trained as a combat medic. While there, she learned a number of emergency medical techniques and how to conduct evacuations under enemy attack.
After becoming a combat medic, Ellis went to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
In the fall of 2005, she deployed with her unit to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a medic, Ellis worked in the camp’s clinic and routinely went on clearance patrols in Baghdad with combat engineers. Their objective was to keep roads clear of bombs and booby traps. Because she was the medic, she usually rode in a Buffalo mine-protected clearance vehicle as it was the safest given its heavily armored construction. During this deployment, Ellis had some dangerous encounters. On two occasions, two improvised explosive devices exploded near her vehicle.
In October 2007, Ellis went back to Baghdad for her second tour with the same unit. In April 2008, while out on patrol, an IED hit Ellis’ Buffalo. The vehicle caught on fire. Everyone got out in time and Ellis survived. A few weeks later on May 11, 2008, she volunteered to cover for another medic on patrol, as she didn’t want her fellow soldiers to go without a medic. This patrol took place during the night and of the five vehicles in the convoy, she was in the Buffalo as usual. Multiple explosively formed penetrator devices hit her vehicle during an ambush, and her Buffalo caught on fire. Ellis’ comrades got her out and tried to save her, but she did not survive.
Ellis posthumously promoted to corporal and received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
As we reflect this Memorial Day, may we never forget that behind every name etched in sacrifice is a family still grieving, still honoring, and still remembering. May we lift them in prayer and carry their stories in our hearts.
One Response
Amen