Pfc. Francheska Velez, 21, was killed on November 5, 2009, during the mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas. A soldier of Colombian descent who had just returned from a 10-month tour in Iraq, Velez was nine weeks pregnant and had come home early to begin maternity leave before planning to return to Chicago.

The shooter, Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan, opened fire in the military processing center where soldiers go for medical tests before and after deployment. Thirteen people were killed and 32 injured in what became the deadliest mass shooting on an American military base. Hasan was charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder; court testimony from survivors and witnesses described the chaotic scene.

Velez’s father, Juan Velez, said he was proud of her service and mourned her loss. Friends and family remembered her as vibrant and joyful, someone who loved to dance and make others laugh. Did anyone who knew Francheska or her unit have memories or information to share about her life and service?