Nov 9, 2009 4:07 pm US/Central
Fort Hood Victim Remembered At Chicago Vigil
U.S. Army Private Was Pregnant At Time Of Shooting Rampage
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Friends and family members remember Fort Hood shooting victim Francheska Velez during a Monday vigil at Velez' Chicago home.
CBS
-
-
Pvt. Francheska Velez was killed on the Fort Hood Army base Nov. 5, 2009.
AP
Dozens of mourners gathered outside the Chicago home of a soldier killed in the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.
Many standing in Pvt. Francheska Velez's West Humboldt Park yard Monday clutched candles and had tears in their eyes. Others came forward to sign an American flag on a front gate. The crowd sang along when Sean "Diddy" Combs' song "I'll Be Missing You" blared from a speaker.
One of those keeping vigil, Cesar Gandia, says he last saw his friend when she came home for a visit from Iraq in August. He recalls how Velez, 21, insisted on wearing high heels the entire time because she was sick of combat boots.
Among those who attended the vigil were veterans, police officers and firefighters from the neighborhood, who wanted to thank Velez for her service.
"She did a tremendous sacrifice for our country," Fire Capt. Ron Harvey told CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman. "We're just here to offer our condolences."
"It makes me feel really happy that all these people care about her," Velez cousin Sheila Rodriquez said.
Velez had planned to return to Chicago soon because she was pregnant. One other Illinois soldier, Pfc. Michael Pearson of Bolingbrook, also died at Fort Hood.
Velez friend Sasha Ramos says funeral arrangements have not been made because it's unclear when Velez's body will be flown back to Chicago.
Family members describe her as a sweet girl with a childlike spirit, and say she sought a lifelong career in the Army.
CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Tattooed Ladies of Hollywood
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments