Remembering Jess Shipps

Friends and family gathered Monday to remember Jess Shipps, a 31-year-old Air Force veteran and transgender woman who was an active member of SPARTA, an advocacy and support group for LGBT members of the military.

A memorial for the Air Force veteran and former staff sergeant was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hampton, Va.

News of Shipp's death by suicide last month rocked the military community, particularly among veterans who not only knew Shipps but appreciated her candor and resolve to fight for open military service for transgender Americans.

In an Army Times article published Monday, staff writer Jeff Schogol recognized Shipps for the woman she was, despite ongoing military policy that declares transgender Americans categorically unfit to serve. The Army Times summarized her 11-year military career thusly:

"During her career as a public affairs officer, she was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. She was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medals three times and also received the Joint Service Commendation Medal."

As friends and family come to terms with the death of the funny, caring woman those close to her knew as Jessie, The Advocate has offered space to those mourning to remember their friend. Read on to learn more about Shipps, from the folks who knew her best.

Landon Marchant, a U.S. Navy veteran and member of SPARTA, shared the following reflections on the memorial:

On Monday, June 29, in Hampton, Va., eight members of SPARTA stood alongside countless friends and family of Staff Sergeant Jess Shipps to pay our respects. A family friend read excerpts from her favorite childhood books, and Reverend Phyllis spoke of selfless service. Selfless service to her country, to her family, and to the friends she held close. It was a soulful sermon, written to comfort and honor in a time of heartbreak. Everything — the service, communion, hymns — felt surreal, until Langley Honor Guard Airmen presented a folded flag to Leanna, Jess’s wife. In that moment reality came crashing down. As the final salute fell, I felt what was left of my military bearing shatter. We had truly lost one of the best and brightest women I have ever known, and Jess wasn’t going to be walking through the door to shout, "Gotcha!" Inside the memorial booklet, there was a verse: Proverbs 18:21; "Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin." Jessie Shipps was this type of friend. She lived a life of selfless service to everyone she met, loved unconditionally, and was loved in return. I was comforted to see this trait praised throughout the memorial. It was a beautiful celebration and recognition of a wonderful woman, who changed the life of everyone she met.

Former Marine corporal and fellow trans woman and SPARTA member Loren Sieg offered these parting words to her friend: