(November 6, 2010) A year after the tragedy, a hundred and forty family members assembled at Fort Hood to remember twelve soldiers and one civilian lost in the tragic shootings of November 5, 2009. Each family member’s decision to come could not have been an easy decision but by the end of the day most, if not all, had gained some measure of strength from the memorial services and the expressions of care that reflect what Fort Hood and Central Texas are all about.

The day began with an Awards Ceremony and the Unveiling of a Memorial Stone at FortHood’s Memorial Park. After introductory comments by Major General William F. Grimsley and remarks by Army Secretary John McHugh, fifty two individuals, soldiers and civilians, were recognized for their efforts while under fire or in its aftermath.

Twenty six civilians received the Army Superior Civilian Service Award and two the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Twelve soldiers received the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal. Secretary McHugh then presented the Secretary of the Army Award for Valor to Officers Kimberly Munley and Mark Todd Sr,two FortHood civilian police officers credited with wounding and finally stopping the shooter.

In addition, ten soldiers were awarded the Soldier’s Medal for their individual acts of heroism. Nine soldiers were present.The tenth award was presented posthumously to CPT John Gaffney, who had lost his life while charging the shooter in an attempt to neutralize his actions. CPT Gaffney’s wife accepted the award in the midst of a heartfelt standing ovation.

That afternoon, everyone’s attention shifted to FortHood’s Cameron Field, where more than fifteen hundred gathered for a public memorial ceremony. Major General Grimsley and Army Chief of Staff George W Casey, Jr. spoke, after which eight year old Rhema Marvanne, accompanied by Rick James, performed "The Prayer" to an awe struck and teary eyed audience.

A scripture reading, Moment of Silence, playing of Taps and retreat flag ceremony followed. As the day came to an end, many revisited the memorial stone now at its permanent site amid a grove of trees at the Memorial Park.

"We will never forget."

A Photo Essay

Immediately following the tragedy shootings of November 5, 2009, Fort Hood held a memorial service to honor the fallen.

Now, a year later, our chapter joined Fort Hood as we sought to remember those lost and comfort their families.

On November 4, one symbol of our chapter’s year long effort of support arrived at Fort Hood’s Memorial Park …

Our message was simple. We lost loved ones, but would not forget them.

At 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2010, a hundred and forty family members of the fallen came to Fort Hood’s Memorial Stone unveiling. Army Secretary John McHugh, joined by Major General William Grimsley , Fort Hood’s Senior Mission Commander, in recognizing the sacrifice made by families of the lost, and the courage and care provided by soldiers and civilians during and after the shooting.

They were joined, and embraced, by a thousand invited guests.

And after the memorial ceremony had been completed - and all had departed, we found a single penny (barely visible in this photo) had been placed to the left of the flowers. Obviously it had a special meaning for someone in attendance.

Meanwhile, Fort Hood’s Cameron Field was being prepared for an afternoon public ceremony.

More than two dozen media organizations were present.

Army Chief of Staff George W. Casey, Jr. spoke.

Eight year old Rhema Marvanne joined with Rick James in heart throbbing rendition of “The Prayer,” a song that just seemed perfect for the occasion.

By day’s end, the monument had been moved to its permanent location in a stand of oak trees at Fort Hood’s Memorial Park. And so had the penny, left as it had been found - next to the flowers.

We remember CW2 (R). Michael Cahill, MAJ. Eduardo Caraveo, SSG Justin DeCrow, CPT John Gaffaney, SPC Frederick Greene, SPC Jason Dean Hunt, SSG Amy Krueger, PFC Aaron Nemelka, PFC Michael Pearson, CPT Russell Seager, PVT Francheska Velez, LTC Juanita Warman and SPC Kham Xiong.

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7. JCS/J5 Global War on Terrorism Briefing

 

(As we continue our nation's Global War of International Terrorism, this briefing - presented more than three years ago - remains a VERY much a part of understanding what is happening in Iraq & Afghanistan)

(June, 2006) It’s a conflict of cultures - - Muslim extremism on one side and western concepts of democracy and modernity on the other. And according to COL Gary H. Cheek,* who briefed chapter members on June 21st as Chief, Strategic Planning Division in the Office of the J5, JCS, it will be a “Long War.”

For average Americans, a war against global terrorism is difficult to understand and a sustained state of war alien to our nature. Further, research suggests that while insurgencies typically last nine years, the American people are prepared to support a war for only about three. That creates a six year gap - a gap in which our nation now finds itself.

Unlike past wars, this Global War on Terrorism is not being fought solely within specific national borders. This war, COL Cheek stressed, is a transnational movement of extremist organizations, networks and individuals who share a common purpose. Quoting Zeyno Baran in “Fighting the War of Ideas” (Foreign Affairs, Dec. ’05), “the west is being drawn into the clash of two competing ideologies within the Islamic world. Proponents of the first believe that Islam is compatible with secular democracy and basic civil liberties. Proponents of the second are committed to replacing the current world order with a new caliphate - - that is, a global Islamic state.”

This concept of a global Islamic state has its origins in earlier history and Muslim domination of most of Africa, the Middle East, much of SW Asia and SE Europe achieved by 1500. Today, with that former domination now past, many Muslims feel a severe loss of dignity and honor. This loss provides Al Qa’ida’s leadership with easy access to an aggrieved population able to attract recruits with their extremist ideology.

COL Cheek described Al Qa’ida’s plan, obtained through captured documents. That plan seeks to expel American influence from the Mideast; remove all secular governments within the region; eliminate Israel and purge Jewish and Christian influence from the region; and expand the Muslim empire to its 15th century historical boundaries.

COL Cheek next detailed our nation’s strategy for the Global War on Terrorism. Its principal aims call for the defeat of violent extremism as a threat to our way of life and creation of a global environment inhospitable to violent extremists and those who support them. Cheek described ways by which this strategy will be achieved in protecting and defending the homeland and US interests aboard, attacking terrorists and their capacity to operate at home and abroad, and supporting mainstream Muslim efforts to reject violent extremism.