Fort Hood Tragedy: Inside the Wall
When the military wants to get something done, it can do so with amazing speed and efficiency. I’ve seen this firsthand in some pretty far-flung locations like Afghanistan and Iraq … and was reminded of it by the building of the security wall at Fort Hood, Texas.
Using massive forklifts and Con-Ex shipping containers, the U.S. Army has built a protective barrier around a field in front of the III Corp Headquarters Building to keep families, dignitaries and the President safe and out of sight.
By my calculation, the main portion of the wall runs nearly 900 feet long and stands almost 30 feet tall. A side wall runs more than 200 feet with containers stacked two and three high. Several members of the White House Press Corp told me they’d never seen anything like it, although I’ve been told by others that both former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney got similar treatment at visits to other military posts.
Inside the wall the majority of press is assembling in a penned in area at the very rear in a corner (is there an underlying message here…?). Some 2000 chairs have been set up much closer to the platform and podium built near the driveway in front of the HQ, where family members of the Fort Hood victims and some of those wounded who were treated and released will join politicians, officers, friends and members of the public wishing to pay tribute to the fallen.
The mood here has been somber, respectful and reflective. There is little discussion between soldiers and the press about warning signs that may have been missed by investigators regarding suspect Major Nidal Malik Hasan’s reported contact with radical islamists overseas. They’re not looking to place blame or point fingers, at least not to us. What we’re hearing time and again is how proud they are of their fellow soldiers in the way they handled the incident, treating the wounded (including the alleged killer himself) and supporting each other in a time of crisis. The focus here is on healing and staying on course, allowing the investigation to move forward while learning lessons to try and prevent anything like this from ever happening again.
Rick Waits for the ceremony to begin.
Rick Leventhal is a correspondent in the New York bureau, but has
covered stories in more than 30 states and 20 countries, from Aruba to
Afghanistan. He has also reported from the field for dozens of World
Series games! 
As I sit listening to the Ft. Hood Memorial Service, the President has just been announced. Cheers rang from the audience! How utterly disgusting and improper for certain in the crowd to disrupt the solemnity of the service to cheer–this is not about the president being there–it’s about the needless death of those who died. How little etiquette or knowledge of how things are or should be done … sad.
i feel for the families, what a great loss, just because someone had so much hate In thier heart.
Our military has been infiltrated not only by Muslim Jihadists, but also by the Lords of Political Correctness … both are deadly enemies of the American Soldier. We saw the consequences of both at Fort Hood, Texas, and yet, our so-called leaders continue their feeble attempt to rationalize it away. How very sad … especially on a day we refer to as Veterans Day.
The man was a terrorist plain and simple. Can we start calling him that? I’m a current military member and I can be discharged for having contact with hate groups, but not this guy. He was allowed to remain in the Army and keep his commission. Unreal. He didn’t kill all those people out of kindness. It was hate, pure and simple!
I find it very disturbing that apparently there were a number of warning signs that had been observed by govt. and military panels and no preventative action taken. In assessing blame for no action it sounds like the answer will probably resemble “no one was driving officer; we were all in the back seat singing.”
Why was nothing done?
Political correctness.
Fear of accusations of profiling.
Not wanting to stir up Islamic populations.
Others to be designed to cover this particular situation
I don’t think I am alone in my feeling that this is one of the most absurd disasters that I have seen in my 71 years of observing our American way of doing things. Teddy Roosevelt said “speak sofly but carry a big stick.” I think he might react to this situation by saying “use it as needed”.
We shall now look forward to taxpayer supported investigations and media frenzy which will sell a ton of advertising. We shall also provide taxpayer paid defense attorneys who will drag this thing out for an eternity and offer voice to the sickening ideas of this deranged idiot.
Is he still drawing his Army paycheck?
The UCMJ was not a poorly thought out document. It should be employed quickly and military execution should bring justice to the families whose hopes and dreams have been destroyed. I hear talk of letting the healing begin; as for this me, NO HEALING can begin before justice has been achieved. No one will read this, but I feel better.
I agree with Carolyn. It was totally inappropriate for those who whooped it up for Obama. I happened to be there and it seemed to be a “group” who were there, not for the memorial service, but to cheer for Obama. They were not at all attentive to the service. It would be a shame if these people were “seeded” for the prez to drown out the possible boos and hisses for his “let’s not jump to conclusions” comments and his lack of disregard to the military.
I agree with you, David.
I feel that many systems failed in the jobs they are supposed to do. UCMJ does prohibit any service member from having any type of contact with known hate groups or individuals who have been identified as having extremist idealogy. Even if the FBI/CIA or whoever first noticed this guys contact with this extremist imam thought that it wasn’t important it should have been passed to the military and if it was passed to the military then they should have addressed it as they would have for any other service member. The reality is that those in leadership positions find it easier to look the other way. Once, my brother moved into his new dorm room on a base in Korea where his new roomate had the wall decorated with Confederate flags and swatzika’s. When he complained they just gave him another room and it took them a week to do that. I am a service member and now I am afraid. I am afraid not of the ultimate cost of service, it is a risk that I choose to and proudly take but I am afraid that the leaders who are suppose to watch over us are not on guard and that the man/woman on my right and left doesn’t have my back. The risks that those in uniform take are calculated risks based on a few basic truths: that those in high leadership are ever on guard and are providing the best equipment and training available and that those on my flank are just as loyal as I am. Now who do we trust and how do we do our jobs if we have to keep looking over our shoulder?
The USA emphacizes freedom but are we sometimes toooooo free??
Maybe the USA should take more precautions with every military move and make sure all persons serving our country are investigated. Resent it—sure some will but if you have nothing to be ashamed of, be grateful your Country is so cautious.
GOD BLESS AMERICA. Is there a more beautiful phrase and song? Just sing the chorus as you sit there and be proud and grateful.
May the young man come to his senses and thank the Lord he lives in a Country that allows him freedom of expression and doesn’t take him out and kill him because he thinks differently than a true red blooded American.
May the Lord have mercy on him. Mary E. Hoffhaus, Darien, Ga.
I am a mom to a soldier who is stationed at Ft. Hood. I have to agree with all the previous comments especially Nicole & David. It’s not just sad, it should alarm all true Americans. Obviously the killer was not in any way. He may have been at some time, but he is a traitor. Furthermore in reference to Nicole’s clear statement, the highest in leadership is the President. And those leaders who were already aware of the very obvious warning signs are definitely responsible not only to execute justice in this situation but to take the initiative to prevent any other heinous crimes as this. This includes the FBI,CIA, & all others who have information that would protect our dedicated to America soldiers everywhere. It’s terrible I had to add that descriptive phrase to soldiers. Their well being is not the priority it should be with our military & government leaders. Why is that? Who is being protected here?
Today is one day we should take a brief moment in time to remember those American soldiers that have died in Afghanistan while Barak Hussein Obama refuses to make a decision on sending additional troop. It does not take three months to make the necessary decision … it does take three months if you are playing political games. It is truly amazing how easy it is for Barak Hussein Obama to simply watch young Americans die while he shows how inept he is as a supposedly Commander in Chief.