Arizona guardswoman recovers after drone attack, and receives Purple Heart
The Brief
Arizona guardswoman Sgt. Aneska Holness was badly hurt in a drone attack in Jordan in 2024.
She persevered and worked toward recovery, and on the way, she was awarded a Purple Heart.
Holness also earned a master's degree while she was recovering.
PHOENIX - An Arizona guardswoman is on the road to recovery after surviving a deadly drone attack during a deployment in Jordan in 2024.
It left her with life-long injuries, but she's not letting that get in her way.
What we know
Sgt. Aneska Holness was just weeks into her deployment in Jordan when the drone strike happened.
"I was sleeping. I was in one of the room's buildings that were hit. It's honestly just waking up to chaos. It was very unexpected. I don't think anyone really thought that would happen while we were there," Holness said. "There's a sense of security and safety that you felt, especially because the base hadn't been hit in over 20-plus years."
She was one of dozens of Arizona service members who were hit in the attack. Dozens were injured, including Holness, but she still found a way to help her friend.
"She was calling out for help and everything else didn't matter in that moment. It was just trying to get to her. "So once I got to her, and we helped her get out, that's when I really understood the scope of what had happened," she said.
Holness received the Purple Heart for her traumatic brain injuries and hip wounds.
"It was an honor meeting everybody else or some of the soldiers that got that award as well, but I think more than anything, myself included, my family, is just happy I'm still here," Holness said.
Dig deeper
She's still here, but with more surgeries on the way. She remains focused on her future growth.
While serving, she went to Arizona State University, obtaining an undergrad degree in anthropology. Then, while recovering, she made a choice to go back to school.
"When it came time for me to receive my master's, it was an easy choice," she said.
She attended ASU once again. This time, she earned a master's focusing on cybersecurity. It was a tremendous undertaking while also learning how to walk again and recovering at Fort Bliss.
"I try to focus on the goal," Holness said. "The end goal. That has been a source of motivation for me."
She has plenty of motivation, and a mom and family who couldn't be prouder.
"I think they have seen more than anyone else how hard I've worked for it. Especially after the injuries and having my surgeries done, I still had to work that much harder to be able to focus not just on recovery, but being able to complete with good grades as well, so they're really proud of me and celebrate my accomplishments," Holness said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
American Military News
04-06-2025
- American Military News
Video: Legendary singer gifts Purple Heart vet a new home
Legendary country singer George Strait recently gifted a U.S. veteran and Purple Heart recipient a new home during a concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to Taste of Country, the iconic country music singer gifted Sergeant Derek Austin, a U.S. veteran and Purple Heart recipient, with a new house during his Pittsburgh concert on May 31 in partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation. In a video from Strait's concert, an announcer with Military Warriors Support Foundation can be heard sharing Austin's story of service to the United States during his deployment in Afghanistan. 'I want to tell you a story about this American hero — and tell you what he did for our freedom,' the announcer told the crowd. He explained that Austin was 'injured severely from shrapnel wounds when his convoy was attacked' in Afghanistan. 'Because of that, he also suffered severely from TBI, and PTSD,' the announcer said. 'We're gonna say thank you in a very, very, very special way,' he added. 'We're gonna give this hero a beautiful home!' READ MORE: Pics: US Air Force vet released from Venezuelan detainment In the video, Strait can be seen presenting a huge key to the Purple Heart recipient as the announcer shared that Austin would be receiving a new home from the Military Warriors Support Foundation in partnership with the legendary country singer. Following the announcement of the gift, the Military Warriors Support Foundation representative honored Strait for his partnership with the organization and for helping give homes to U.S. military veterans. The Military Warriors Support Foundation representative noted that Strait's gift to Austin marked the 124th home the country singer had helped give away. 'George, it's about $61 million worth we've given away together,' the announcer said. According to the Military Warriors Support Foundation's website, Strait has partnered with the organization for almost 14 years in 32 different states to give away over 120 homes to Gold Star Families and veterans who were wounded in combat. 'As a veteran himself, George Strait has long supported American military personnel,' the website states. 'During his sold-out concerts, George Strait stops his performance to recognize and honor our country's combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star spouses. These Heroes are brought on stage to meet George and are celebrated by thousands in the crowd as they are presented with a mortgage-free home. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these Heroes and their families.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Yahoo
The Colorado River Basin has lost as much groundwater as the entire volume of Lake Mead
Deep below the surface of the ground in one of the driest parts of the country, there is a looming problem: The water is running out — but not the kind that fills lakes, streams and reservoirs. The amount of groundwater that has been pumped out of the Colorado River Basin since 2003 is enough to fill Lake Mead, researchers report in a study published earlier this week. Most of that water was used to irrigate fields of alfalfa and vegetables grown in the desert Southwest. No one knows exactly how much is left, but the study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, shows an alarming rate of withdrawal of a vital water source for a region that could also see its supply of Colorado River water shrink. 'We're using it faster and faster,' said Jay Famiglietti, an Arizona State University professor and the study's senior author. In the past two decades, groundwater basins – or large, underground aquifers – lost more than twice the amount of water that was taken out of major surface reservoirs, Famiglietti's team found, like Mead and Lake Powell, which themselves have seen water levels crash. The Arizona State University research team measured more than two decades of NASA satellite observations and used land modeling to trace how groundwater tables in the Colorado River basin were dwindling. The team focused mostly on Arizona, a state that is particularly vulnerable to future cutbacks on the Colorado River. Groundwater makes up about 35% of the total water supply for Arizona, said Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, who was not directly involved in the study. The study found groundwater tables in the Lower Colorado River basin, and Arizona in particular, have declined significantly in the last decade. The problem is especially pronounced in Arizona's rural areas, many of which don't have groundwater regulations, and little backup supply from rivers. With wells in rural Arizona increasingly running dry, farmers and homeowners now drill thousands of feet into the ground to access water. Scientists don't know exactly how much groundwater is left in Arizona, Famiglietti added, but the signs are troubling. 'We have seen dry stream beds for decades,' he said. 'That's an indication that the connection between groundwater and rivers has been lost.' Some land has also begun to cave in, with deep fissures forming in parts of the state as ground water has been pumped out. This is not unique to Arizona, Famiglietti said, with similar signs of disappearing groundwater happening in the agriculture-heavy Central Valley in California. Porter said the results illuminate the magnitude of the groundwater crisis in the Southwest, which is particularly helpful for state officials and lawmakers. 'There are a lot of people who aren't sure if we have a serious situation with respect to groundwater, because groundwater is hidden,' Porter said. 'The value of the study is that it really adds a lot of information to the picture.' Groundwater may be hidden, but scientists know with relative certainty that once it is pumped out, it won't be able to recharge within our lifetimes. Much of it was deposited tens or hundreds of thousands of years ago. 'It takes geologic time' to refill these deep aquifers — meaning thousands of years — 'and we as humans have more or less been burning through it in the last over the last century,' Famiglietti said. Famiglietti warned the groundwater situation could worsen if the state's allocation of Colorado River water is further decreased, a decision that could be made in the next two years. If Arizona's Colorado River water allocation was cut to zero, 'we could burn through the available groundwater in 50 years,' Famiglietti said. 'We're talking about decades. That's scary. No one wants that to happen.' But Porter pushed back on that characterization, pointing out that Arizona cities have another stable water supply—the Salt River. Porter added cities like Phoenix and Tucson are storing groundwater and have regulations designed to keep it from running out. Arizona has had a groundwater management law in place since 1980. 'We're not expecting that the whole state would turn to groundwater,' Porter said. Famiglietti said he hopes the study will prompt discussions over how to more effectively manage groundwater use in the region, especially from agriculture, which uses the lion's share of water. Much of Arizona's crops are exported, either to other states or, as is the case with alfalfa, internationally. Famiglietti called it the 'absolutely biggest' choice that policymakers will have to decide. 'Agriculture just uses so much water,' Famiglietti said. 'Are we going to plan to continue to grow as much food? Are we losing food that's important for the state, that's important for the country, or is it alfalfa that's being shipped to Saudi Arabia?'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wounded Marine and His Family to Receive Life-Changing Home Makeover on Military Makeover with Montel®
The Reeves Family of North Carolina to Be Featured in Upcoming Season Airing on Lifetime TV. Full makeover will be realized between June 10th to June 22nd. The reveal of the home makeover will be filmed on June 22nd. KING, N.C. , May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Military Makeover with Montel® along with Official Non-Profit Partner, Purple Heart Homes, proudly announces its upcoming season spotlighting the remarkable story of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Sean Reeves and his family. Coming to Lifetime TV this summer, this season will follow an inspiring path of bravery, dedication, and recovery, culminating in a well-earned home makeover for a selfless family. Sean's courageous service and sacrifice were recognized with many military decorations, such as the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, NATO Medal ISAF Afghanistan, and the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, among others. Driven by the September 11th attacks, Sean Reeves enlisted in the United States Marine Corps upon his 2008 high school graduation. He served as an infantry rifleman (0311) with the First Battalion, Second Marines and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. During Operation Northern Penetration, Mr. Reeves sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and three gunshot wounds resulting from an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation and subsequent ambush. Despite these severe injuries, he continued his military service until his medical retirement in 2011. Presently, Mr. Reeves is employed as a Care Coordinator at Veterans Bridge Home, providing support to veterans and their families as they navigate challenging transitions. Notwithstanding persistent chronic pain, cognitive impairments, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and having achieved remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, he remains a dedicated advocate and an essential source of support within the veteran community. "The story of the Reeves family is one of resilience and commitment to community," said Nicole Oropesa, President of BrandStar Entertainment. "Through Military Makeover with Montel, we are honored to recognize and uplift a family who truly embodies the heart of service to their fellow veterans." With the help of generous partners and the King, NC community, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, Military Makeover with Montel® will renovate the Reeves family home to reflect the care, accessibility, and comfort they deserve. To volunteer, click here. Military Makeover with Montel: Military Makeover with Montel® is an award-winning reality TV series dedicated to transforming the homes and lives of military families across the country. Hosted by Veteran, Author and TV Personality Montel Williams, alongside Co-Host Art Edmonds and Designer Jennifer Bertrand, the show brings together businesses, non-profits, and local communities to create lasting change for those who've served. Airing on Lifetime® and the American Forces Network, Military Makeover is more than a renovation show—it's a powerful mission where help, healing, and hope truly start at home. For more information, visit Purple Heart Homes: Purple Heart Homes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, two Iraq combat-wounded Veterans who started a mission to provide housing solutions for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans and their families. Driven by the belief that no Veteran should be left behind, Purple Heart Homes, together with the community, is committed to ensuring quality of life solutions for Disabled American Veterans from all eras. Purple Heart Homes – Improving Veterans' Lives One Home at a more information, visit and follow us on X @PHHTweet and Facebook and Instagram @PurpleHeartHomes. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Military Makeover with Montel
