Sgt. Housby of Rock Island, Ill., was always willing to help people, and greeted strangers and friends with a smile. The 2000 graduate of Rock Island High School was a member of the ROTC and enlisted in the National Guard in 1999, while still attending school to help pay her college expenses. Jessica received an award in 1999 after taking part in a training exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis., when she was chosen as the top cadet out of a group of 187 because of her hard work, enthusiasm and the responsibility. She had an excuse to stay home, she had a heart murmur and had been on a heart monitor, but staying home wasn't an option. She shipped out bound for Iraq along with about 170 soldiers of the 1644th. Before leaving for Iraq, she was attending Black Hawk College in Moline. As a civilian she worked in a pediatrician's office where she was quick with a smile and always willing to help the children who walked in. She would bend over backwards to do something for someone. Prior to that she was employed at Happy Joe's of Milan for several years. She often worked out at the Rock Island Fitness Center and was a very outgoing person and a joy to be with. She loved baseball and dancing and used to play rugby. She is survived by her mother and a brother. She was serving her first tour in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated killing her at age 23.
Army
National Guard
1644th Transportation Company
Rock Falls, Ill.
Army
National Guard
1644th Transportation Company
Rock Falls, Ill.
Sgt. Housby of Rock Island, Ill., was always willing to help people, and greeted strangers and friends with a smile. The 2000 graduate of Rock Island High School was a member of the ROTC and enlisted in the National Guard in 1999, while still attending school to help pay her college expenses. Jessica received an award in 1999 after taking part in a training exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis., when she was chosen as the top cadet out of a group of 187 because of her hard work, enthusiasm and the responsibility. She had an excuse to stay home, she had a heart murmur and had been on a heart monitor, but staying home wasn't an option. She shipped out bound for Iraq along with about 170 soldiers of the 1644th. Before leaving for Iraq, she was attending Black Hawk College in Moline. As a civilian she worked in a pediatrician's office where she was quick with a smile and always willing to help the children who walked in. She would bend over backwards to do something for someone. Prior to that she was employed at Happy Joe's of Milan for several years. She often worked out at the Rock Island Fitness Center and was a very outgoing person and a joy to be with. She loved baseball and dancing and used to play rugby. She is survived by her mother and a brother. She was serving her first tour in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated killing her at age 23.
Army
National Guard
1644th Transportation Company
Rock Falls, Ill.
Army
National Guard
1644th Transportation Company
Rock Falls, Ill.
