Nast Whitson remembers Capt. Jennifer Harris
Nast Whitson, a beloved coach from Crossfit SOAR, shared with us the story of her friend Jennifer. Nast wishes to honor Jennifer's memory and we all will.
Marine Corps Captain Jennifer Harris. She was my friend and someone who has influenced me greatly in my life. We went to the same high school where we did marching band & track & field together until she went on to the Naval Academy after HS. She influenced me to join Civil Air Patrol & learn about planes. It is also why I almost went to the Naval Academy instead of taking a full scholarship to UMass, Amherst.
Jen was a pilot for the Marines. She died on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, when her CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter she was piloting was "shot down" in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Jennifer's military duty was "Casualty Evacuation Pilot" where she would fly in and out of combat areas for the emergency evacuation of injured soldiers and Iraqi citizens. She saved many lives.
Jen has a ton of accolades that I can't remember because they are too numerous, but after she received her Navy Wings of Gold, she was assigned to the Purple Foxes at Camp Pendleton, CA. She became the Purple Foxes' first ever female pilot.
What is not written about is that Jen was not originally assigned to this mission because she was to come home about a week later. She asked if she could volunteer for this mission and it was granted. That is the kind of person she is & was.
You can read more about Jennifer's life here.
*U.S. Elite, in partnership with Crossfit SOAR will hold a WOD and final roll call on Thurs, May 25 in memory of our fallen warriors. This will take place at Crossfit SOAR. Gates open at 6:30 pm. Final roll call will follow right after the workout and will be streamed via Facebook Live.
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