Christmas is coming a little early this year for the Kelly family of Manassas.
Army Master Sgt. Deneen MaDonna Kelly is expected to return home on Christmas Eve following a year-long deployment to Iraq as a medic with the 55th Sustainment Brigade headquartered at Fort Belvoir.
“There is an excitement within all of us that shows how proud we are of Deneen for all of her accomplishments and service to our country and the armed services of America,” said Kelly’s husband, Jacob.
Master Sgt. Kelly attended elementary through high school in the Washington Metropolitan Area public school system, graduating from Howard D. Woodson Senior High School. She went on to graduate with a bachelor of science degree from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina in 1990.
Kelly joined the United States Army Reserve in 1989 shortly before graduating from college. She attended basic training and advanced individualized training at Fort Dix, N.J., and became an Army medic. She spent 10 years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. After being promoted to the rank of sergeant first class she served in the 9/80th in Wilmington, Del., for three years, where she matriculated as an Army instructor in the non-commissioned officer education system course, the emergency medical technician- basic and combat lifesaver programs.
She was transferred to the 55the Sustainment Brigade in July of 2007 and deployed with the unit the following year. While in Iraq, Master Sgt. Kelly provided one-on-one medical care to coalition forces members and Iraqi citizens. She also served as the unit’s team leader for harassment and as its grief counselor.
“The Iraqi people are fighting back, too,” Master Sgt. Kelly noted. “Together we are doing it one day at a time.”
The couple have two daughters, Deneka Shae Williams, Jasmine Nicole Kelly, and a son, Jacob Kelly Jr.
“As I love to do I plan to cook Christmas dinner for Deneen as well as the entire family and to give thanks and blessings for her safe return home,” said Jacob Kelly.
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