I have two family members who are members of the U.S. Army and have been deployed overseas to Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq.
They’ve returned with horrific stories of what they’ve seen, but the details are somewhat limited because they are not allowed to disclose such information.
One has been medically checked, and doctors confirmed that he has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The other has admitted to me that he has felt the psychological effects of the military as well.
Their comprehension of the incident that occurred on Thursday is more personal.
One, they have both been stationed at Fort Hood. And two, the U.S. Army is part of their identity.
Personally, I have no opinion on the army, but I do have an opinion when lives are taken at the hands of another individual with no obvious motive at all.
Justice must be served — but how?
A few days after the incident, news coverage surfaced regarding the shooter, U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Much of it surrounds the idea that Hasan is a terrorist.
In my opinion, “terrorist” has become a highly sensitive term since the Sept. 11 attacks, so I believe applying it to a person must be based on factual information.
But then again, how easy is it to obtain “factual information?”
It’s not.
I’m not saying Hasan was or wasn’t a terrorist because that term does not roll off my tongue with ease. It’s so loaded nowadays that I don’t even use it.
My family members, however, see the term “terrorist” differently, and I’m confident it’s because of their experience in the service.
My prayers go out to those who have been affected by the Fort Hood Massacre.
I’m looking forward to how things will unfold as the investigation continues.
November 8, 2009...7:41 pm
Fort Hood Massacre hits home
Thirteen U.S. Army soldiers were shot and killed by a major at a Texas military base on Thursday, which the media has dubbed “The Fort Hood Massacre.”
I have two family members who are members of the U.S. Army and have been deployed overseas to Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq.
They’ve returned with horrific stories of what they’ve seen, but the details are somewhat limited because they are not allowed to disclose such information.
One has been medically checked, and doctors confirmed that he has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The other has admitted to me that he has felt the psychological effects of the military as well.
Their comprehension of the incident that occurred on Thursday is more personal.
One, they have both been stationed at Fort Hood. And two, the U.S. Army is part of their identity.
Personally, I have no opinion on the army, but I do have an opinion when lives are taken at the hands of another individual with no obvious motive at all.
Justice must be served — but how?
A few days after the incident, news coverage surfaced regarding the shooter, U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Much of it surrounds the idea that Hasan is a terrorist.
In my opinion, “terrorist” has become a highly sensitive term since the Sept. 11 attacks, so I believe applying it to a person must be based on factual information.
But then again, how easy is it to obtain “factual information?”
It’s not.
I’m not saying Hasan was or wasn’t a terrorist because that term does not roll off my tongue with ease. It’s so loaded nowadays that I don’t even use it.
My family members, however, see the term “terrorist” differently, and I’m confident it’s because of their experience in the service.
My prayers go out to those who have been affected by the Fort Hood Massacre.
I’m looking forward to how things will unfold as the investigation continues.
Regina Aquino
-Staff Writer
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Tags: Fort Hood Massacre, PTSD, san jose state, SJSU, Spartan Daily, Texas military base, U.S. Army