Leah Phillips Connection

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips at Left with Pin-Ups for Vets

Several weeks ago, Jessica’s mother, Leah, contacted me via KHTS to let me know that Jessica is an Army veteran and a member of the nonprofit organization “Pin-Ups for Vets.”

Leah said Jessica and several other members would attend Santa Clarita’s Veterans Day Ceremony.

This was music to my ears. Soon after, Jessica, her daughter, Faith, Leah and I met.

For me, interviewing veterans is an honor which I take very seriously, and talking with Jessica reminded me of how sometimes serving your country in combat could have its lingering affects.

Jessica, you are one very brave American patriot. Thank you for your honorable service.

High School to U.S. Army
Jessica Hennessy-Phillips was born January 15, 1985 at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, but she grew up in Valencia and graduated from Hart High School on June 20, 2003.

As a youngster, Jess worked for a sandwich shop and pizza restaurant, while her greatest joy was escorting her three younger brothers to their soccer practices and games.

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips at Right with Pin-Ups for Vets

On several occasions, the foursome stopped in for ice cream on Soledad Canyon Road, and while there, they also visited the adjacent U.S. Army recruiters, whom she befriended.

During her senior year, those same recruiters visited Hart High School’s campus and encouraged Jess to join the Army.

In October 2003, Julie enlisted for four years and promptly took her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where 69 percent of female recruits enter the Army.

Then 13 weeks later, Jess took advanced infantry training at Fort Lee, Virginia for another 13 weeks.

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips at Center

Korea and Iraq Service
In early 2004 following a short leave of absence to visit her family, Jessica deployed to South Korea’s Camp Kyle to serve with the 473^rd Quartermaster Company attached to the 101^st Airborne Division, nicknamed “The Screaming Eagles.”

She served eight months in Korea, noting, “I loved serving in Korea and I met a really good friend, Staff Sgt Ivan V. Alarcon, who I later served with in Georgia and Iraq.”

Following Korea, Jess was assigned to Hunter Army Air Field near Fort Stewart, Georgia to train for six months for deployment in Iraq.

In July 2005, Jess and her unit deployed to Kuwait and promptly convoyed to Logistics Support Area (LSA) Diamond Back near Iraq’s Mosul Airport.

Jess said, “Driving a Humvee into Iraq with our weapons fully loaded and not knowing what lay ahead was rather unnerving, and it was unbelievably hot.”

Combat Action
Jess served 12 months in Iraq as a Humvee driver, going on patrols seeking radical Islamic insurgents and their contraband.

101st Airborne Patch

After three months in the country, during one such mission in Tal Afar City, her friend, Ivan, had his Humvee roll over, and the accident tragically took his life.

Jess’ fellow soldiers transported his body via Humvee back to Diamond Back, and from there, he was returned to the U.S.

In honor of Staff Sgt Ivan V. Alarcon, who left behind three daughters, Jess wears his name bracelet every day.

Because a female soldier was needed, six months into her tour of duty, Jessica was assigned to a Stryker Brigade, whose mission was conducting night raids into villages seeking Iraqi insurgents, their weapons and equipment.

After her fellow soldiers busted in, Jess’ job was corralling and searching the women and children. As many as five families lived in those meager dwellings.

Jess’ role was especially frightening because the houses were clustered together, very dark and small with low ceilings, and oddly enough, Jess was not issued night vision goggles.

Jess said, “During my tour of duty, American troops were constantly subjected to hidden Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and small-arms fire, so staying alert was utterly necessary.”

Honorable Discharge
Jessica left Iraq in July 2006 assigned to Fort Irwin, California for one year, where she met her husband, Edwin J. Anosky IV.

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips Army Portrait

Jess left active duty, but joined the California National Guard for a two-year stint. As her unit prepared to deploy back to Iraq for her second tour of duty, she failed a mental evaluation due to PTSD and having two children who were born at Fort Irwin.

Her daughter, Faith, was born January 23, 2007 and her son, Edwin J. Anosky V, was born just one year later on January 19, 2008.

Specialist Jessica Hennessy-Phillips was honorably discharged in 2010, and Edwin and Jess relocated their family to Edwin’s hometown of Bremerton, Washington for the next two years.

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips Iraq Campaign Medal

Jess’ military awards include the Army Achievement Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

In 2012, Edwin and Jess moved to Santa Clarita for one year before moving to Lancaster, where homes are more affordable.

Edwin landed a manufacturing manager’s position with a local beer distribution company while Jess focuses on her role as a stay-at-home mother.

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips Pin-Ups for Vets

Pin-Ups For Vets
Earlier this year, Jess’ long-time friend, Mike Spurlin, a Navy veteran, suggested that she apply to participate in a makeover session with “Pin-Ups For Vets,” a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and assisting veterans in need.

Jess reluctantly participated following her proud mom strongly urging her to participate.

It turned out that television personality Mike Rowe was there with his crew creating a documentary titled, “Power of the Pin-Ups – Returning the Favor.”

Jessica Hennessy-Phillips at Left

Jessica, her mom and Gina Elise, who founded Pin-Ups in 2006, are seen in this excellent documentary.

Since last summer when Jess became an ambassador for the pin-ups, she welcomed home veterans from two Honor Flights that took veterans to Washington D.C. to see their war monuments.

She’s also participated in nine other Pin-Ups For Vets events, the most recent being Santa Clarita’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 11, and next is a Pittsburgh Veterans Administration Hospital visit.

Congratulations, Jessica, for your strong determination, your patriotic volunteerism and for being a wonderful daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Many thanks to you, Jessica Hennessy-Phillips, for your honorable and courageous service.

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