Puerto Rican soldier killed in Chinook helicopter downing buried with full military honors

Associated Press


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Army Spc. Frances M. Vega, one of 16 people killed in the crash of a U.S. transport helicopter in Iraq, was buried Nov. 9 at a ceremony kept private at her family’s request, the military said.
Vega, 20, was buried at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in suburban Bayamon with full military honors, Army spokesman Jose Pagan said. Vega was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star for bravery and a Purple Heart, Pagan said.

“We feel overwhelmed by her loss but at the same time with pride that she was a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Vega’s body arrived from Dover Air Force Base, Del., on Nov. 8, Pagan said. The military did not officially notify the media because of the family’s request for privacy, he said.

Vega, one of the few women soldiers killed in the U.S. occupation of Iraq, was born in San Francisco but Army records show her permanent address in Puerto Rico. Her father, a retired soldier, and other relatives live in the U.S. territory.

Vega, who was based at Fort Hood, Texas, was killed with 15 other people near Fallujah, Iraq on Nov. 2 when a ground-to-air missile struck the Chinook helicopter they were riding. The attack wounded more than 20 people.


CAMP VICTORY NORTH, Baghdad, Iraq – The post office on Camp Victory North was renamed to the Frances M. Vega Army Post Office during a dedication ceremony that took place on Memorial Day. Approximately 100 people attended the outdoor ceremony for Vega.
Vega, an administrative specialist from Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, serving with the 151st Adjutant General Company (Postal), III Armored Corps, was killed in action when the helicopter she was riding in was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq on Nov. 2.
"Specialist Vega was very outgoing and proud of where she came from," said Spc. Dionn Overton, an administrative specialist who served with Vega. "She was such a beautiful person."
Overton and Vega worked together at Fort Hood, Texas. She remembers leaving Killeen for the first time to go to San Antonio with Vega. "She made everywhere we went fun," Overton said, reminiscing about Vega.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a portrait of Vega, which is displayed inside the new post office. "Everyone has talked about her infectious smile,” said Lt. Col. Colin Hood, 15th Personnel Services Battalion commander. “You can see it in her portrait." Vega came from a military family. Her husband, Pvt. Abednego Vega II, is a member of Company A, 15th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. Her father is a retired first sergeant, and her father-in-law is a command sergeant major.
Although her family members were not at the ceremony, Maj. Eluyn Gines, the 15th PSB executive officer, spoke with Vega's mother, Wanda Benitez, and told her about the dedication. "She was very emotional, but happy," Benitez said. The ceremony closed with an unveiling of the sign bearing Vega's name. "She would be proud," Overton said.

Frances, I want you to know how much my sister loved you, sometimes I think you and her were more like sisters than we were, I miss hearing all your funny stories and watching you and Seli dance around the house, I especially miss being able to tease you about your crazy style and outgoing personality.

I am glad that you are able to guide my sister in heaven, tell her the palm trees haven't been the same without her.

I am proud of you both, knowing that you both are now heroes eases the pain somedays.

I love you.

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