Capt Jennifer Harris 2003-2007

Remembrance Ceremony



     On October 26-27, 2007 a Remembrance Ceremony for the families of fallen women soldiers, was held at the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery by the Academy Women’s organization. Capt. Jennifer Harris’ aunt, Linda Macone joined Jennifer’s USNA roommate, Lt. Rosie Goscinski as a special poem written for Jennifer by West Point graduate and author Odessa Maxwell was read.

    Artist and filmmaker Tara Krause then presented the families with a porcelain on steel scale model termed “Women Soar”, a memorial for fallen military women. Tara took her inspiration from a butterfly she observed at a Veteran’s hospital.

    Remarkably while Linda and a friend visited Jennifer’s resting place a monarch butterfly appeared and kept encircling them. “I felt as if Jen was giving us hugs,” Linda remarked.

   AcademyWomen.org is a nonprofit group, which offers programs to support and enable women from the nation's premier military academies and officer development programs.

Read the poem Semper Fi, by Odessa Maxwell


Odessa Maxwell
Odessa Maxwell
  posted 11/06/07 Happy Birthday Jen

____________________________________________

A Memorial For A Purple Fox
   Her call name was "Attila" but her Marine friends called her the "Dove", whatever nickname she was called, Capt Jen Harris made a huge impact on the Purple Fox community. She was loved and admired by friends and family as well as those that only knew her as "Our Lady Purple Fox." The squadron, still deployed in Iraq at her passing honored her with a candlelight vigil as well as notes, flowers and stuffed animals. Marines took turns standing watch to assure that the candles were not extinguished. They did so until Jen returned home to her family.

   "Jennifer brought out the best in those around her because she was so demanding of herself, yet understanding of others. She believed in her mission as a helicopter pilot and dedicated fourteen and fifteen hour days while deployed in Iraq to ensure that every mission was well
coordinated and executed as safely as possible. She watched out for
young pilots in the squadron and took them under her wing. She used
to kid that she was their mother hen. She was equally protective of her
peers and those senior to her. She was after all, a Purple Fox. "

LtCol Sean C. Killeen
Commanding Officer HMM-364


   "I had the honor to serve 2 tours with Jen and HMM364 as an embedded journalist. Jen's
fellow pilots and every member of that squadron expressed admiration and love for the one they described as a "good stick". I would like to say she was "smart" in every definition of the word. If the way she led her life could be turned into a syllabus for life our children would
have an awesome guide….."some people spend their entire lives wondering if they have made a contribution. Jen didn't have that problem".

Embedded journalist Greg Jarrett



   "Jen saved my butt on more than one occasion she was a good officer
and a very good friend. As a CORPSMAN I know the value one life can
carry and how much this must hurt everyone who knew here. May you wings spread and guide you to our father's side where you
belong. "Once a Fox always a Fox"

HM3 (FMF/CAC) David S. Michael


  "Two months ago, Jen Harris sent home a new squadron patch that her family now sees as both poignant and hauntingly prophetic. "It's a casualty evacuation insignia that shows an angel holding up a helicopter," Linda (Jen's aunt) said. "The angel has blond hair, just like Jen. We don't know for sure if Jen was the inspiration. But obviously we think she was."


Permission was provided by the family of Capt Jen Harris to post photos. Quotes come from various news sources.
Jen's guestbook will be saved and posted at a later date for the returning Purple Foxes and our members.

____________________________________________

HMM-774 "Wild Geese' Flyover
HMM-774 Wild Geese flying over the funeral of Capt Jennifer Harris

Photo by David Sokol for the Swampscott (Mass.) Reporter.

 

Sgt Jon Barnes saluting his fallen Marine friend

 

   
 HMM-744, "Wild Geese" squadron flew over Capt Harris' funeral to pay respect for our fallen hero.

Former Purple Fox Sgt. Jon Barnes now with HMM-744 said " So, as well as on the ground..overhead..there will be a Purple Fox watching out for a fallen Marine Fox." The photo on the left is Jon as he saluted his Marine friend.

Jon flew with Jen during the 2003 deployment.
Semper Fi

02/24/07

...View News Reports Regarding Jen

...Read Blogs and other stories


You must have Adobe Reader to view news reports.



You must have an Adobe Flash Player to view movie.

"Aunt" Linda Macone Talks About her Niece 1st Lt Jen Harris 2003

Back to Photo Page // Jen's Photo Gallery //Back to Photo Index

Who We Are /Service Program s/ Purple Pride /Our Mission / Membership /Roster /Where Are They?
Our Experiences /Foxy Corner /Ask A Marine/ In Memory/ Photos/
Contact Us/ Home/ HMM-364.org

Please report any problems to
Webmaster


© 2007All images and text Copyright Purplefoxyladies.com. All Rights Reserved


____________________________________________

2003 Photos

1st Lt. Jen Harris

Here are some excerpts from Jen's letter to her aunt, Linda

"Al Hillah is the location of the ruins of Babylon as well as Saddam's palace. The area is beautiful. There are many Marines and Seabees that stay in the area, there are even Marines that stay in the palace, sleep in Saddam's bedroom! So, the first day we are there, it is the afternoon, we hang out, find the chow hall, and find the pool! The pool was literally one of Saddam's fish ponds that the Seabees have converted to a pool by adding some chlorine and a pump. It was awesome! The entire 'compound' is located on the banks of the tributary to the Euphrates River. I can't image what the palace and compound looked like in all its glory. The sad part is that just on the other side of the river, there are people living in mud houses.

That night we took our own self guided tour of the palace. We went up to the palace right before sunset and hopefully got some great pictures. It was weird wandering around the palace, like something your would dream about as a little kid. Like I said before, there are many Marines living in the palace and as much
as we wandered around, I know we didn't see everything especially since it was getting dark and we were walking around with our flashlights! That night, as in the previous nights, we slept right outside the helo. I slept on the collapsible stretchers we have, they are easier and more comfortable than setting up a cot. I love sleeping outside when we are away and it is much cooler up there than back in Kuwait.

The second night was sort of a restless sleep because there were several dogs that were wandering around the LZ! That made me a little nervous, but they left us alone! It is amazing how laying under the stars, you feel like you can think so clearly and be really relaxing."

6/13/03
HMM-364 Purple Fox Mystery Photo 24 See Mystery Photo 24

1st Lt. Jen Harris., 1st Lt. Ben Davenport

Jen Harris and Friend

Jen recently returned from the North where she spent 21 consecutive days!
Here is a picture of one of the marines they flew........a furry one!

Cpl Paul Wood and Bruce Willis
Cpl Paul Wood and Bruce Willis

"Jen sent us this picture of Paul Wood. He is so cute, he looks like the movie star!!
I think it needs to be on the Foxy Lady website!!"
Foxy Lady Linda Macone

We agree Linda! Too bad that other guy is distracting our Fox View!

Greg Jarrett, reporter for KGO radio interveiws 1st. Lt Jen Harris.



Jen's answers are in purple!

1st Lt Jen Harrris of Swampscott, Ma.. The only woman in the Purple Foxes and the youngest pilot in this Marine helicopter squadron, at 24, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, she says there is no problem due to her gender.

No, not really, I think I fit right in. The only obstacle is that my tent isn't over here where all the rest of the guys are.

So, what made you decide to actually, #1 go to Annapolis, and #2 be a Marine?

When I was a senior in high school I heard about the Naval Academy and that's when I got my initial interest. I wanted something different instead of a traditional four year private college in Massachusetts like a lot of my friends did. When I got to Annapolis I had the option to go either Navy or Marines and I was definitely leaning towards the Marines and then the opportunity to fly presented itself and I definitely took a hold of that opportunity.

Spending days, weeks out in the field, the more experienced pilots tell me that Jen Harris is one of the best young "sticks" in the Marine Corps, one of the best pilots . I asked her if that shocks her.

It does, I just try my hardest .I know I kind of stand out in the squadron, one being new, and being female so I'm definitely driven to try my best at all times.

So, after going through Annapolis, after going through all the initiations of the Marine Corps, would Jen Harris recommend this to young girls in high school?



"Aunt" Linda Macone Talks About her Niece 1st Lt Jen Harris

Back to Photo Page // Jen's Photo Gallery //Back to Photo Index

Who We Are /Service Program s/ Purple Pride /Our Mission / Membership /Roster /Where Are They?
Our Experiences /Foxy Corner /Ask A Marine/ In Memory/ Photos/
Contact Us/ Home/ HMM-364.org

Please report any problems to
Webmaster