AUGUSTA, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- After six tours overseas and 23 years of service, the body of a Maine soldier has returned home.
Hundreds gathered in Augusta to honor Staff Sgt. Jessica Wing, 42, of Glenburn.
Staff Sgt. Wing died on August 27 in a non-combat related incident while serving in Kuwait.
Wing was an avionics mechanic, repairing helicopters and working as a Blackhawk Crew Chief in the 126th Aviation MEDEVAC unit in Bangor.
Born into a military family, she enlisted when she turned 18. She would be deployed overseas six times, serving in countries such as Bosnia, Iraq, Korea, and Kuwait, winning seven military awards along the way.
Her family said she was strong, forthright, sometimes stubborn, and full of adventure.
"She was very much a Mainer," said Wing's brother-in-law, John Tipton. "There's no pretense about her. She wore it all on her sleeve."
She loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors with her three dogs.
Wing called her dogs her "kids," and all three attended the funeral service at the Augusta Armory.
As servicemen carried away her casket, her dogs could be heard crying.
"It's important for us to thank the family members for their love and care for anyone who's wearing the uniform, that's overseas," said Congressman Mike Michaud.
"We've got to be there in their time of need, not only in the short time, but for the longer time."
Staff Sgt. Wing's family has asked any donations be made to the Bangor Humane Society.
NEWS CENTER