Private from Humboldt Park was 3 months pregnant
A pregnant Army private from Humboldt Park was one of three Chicago-area soldiers killed in the shooting at Fort Hood, her family confirmed today.
Francheska Velez, 21, was three months pregnant and had been in the Army for three years, according to her sister-in-law Marisol Cruz.
A 2006 graduate of Kelvyn Park High School, Velez had served in Iraq and was scheduled to be temporarily released on maternity leave, her family said.
(John Kim/Sun-Times)
Juan Velez, a Colombian immigrant, said his daughter was “living his dream, something I wish I could have done to be part of the United States, to give back to society for all it has done for us.”
Velez joined the Army because she wanted to have her education paid for and wanted to make something of her life, her cousin Sandy Rivera said. She planned to raise her baby in Texas and wanted to stay at Fort Hood and remain active on the base, Rivera said.
Velez was last in Chicago for her birthday last month.
“She was pregnant, and we were all counting on this baby. Her mom can’t even get up off the bed. She’s in pain,” said Velez’ sister-in-law Marisol Cruz said.
Pfc. Michael Pearson, 21, of Bolingbrook, was also identified by his family earlier today as one of 13 people killed Thursday at the Texas Army base.
Contributing: Monifa Thomas