Ashly graduated from Emmaus High in 2003. That same year she enlisted in the Army Reserve and attended the Military Police School in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, graduating in March, 2004. Ashly was an active service member of the United States Army, 630th Military Police Company stationed in Bamberg, Germany.

Her first assignment took her to Guantanomo Bay, Cuba where she served as a prison guard. After spending about a year at home Ashly returned to active duty. She was stationed in Bamberg, Germany for five months before being sent to Iraq. She was assigned as a driver and was very proud of her vehicle. Ashly loved her army “family” with great passion. She was promoted to Sergeant shortly before her death. She died in Baghdad, Iraq on March 3, 2007 when an IED exploded under the armored patrol vehicle she was driving.

Ashly was the 21st person from the Lehigh Valley and the 71st female service member to die since the war began. She was 21 years old.

Ashly is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, an area devoted to the soldiers of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bio Provided by Ashly's Mother