Ft. Hood plegdes support for 'family'

KILLEEN, TEXAS (KXAN) - Few understand the challenges of life in the Army more than Lt. Col. Tim Karcher, who in June lost part of both of his legs on his third tour of duty to Iraq.

Or Stephanie Norman, who worries everyday about her husband stationed in the same war-torn country.

"It's a daily struggle. You never know when the reality of the deployment will set in which day you’re going to cry,” said Norman.

But a deady ambush on post a few weeks ago reminded everyone at Fort Hood about the importance of being strong for each other - strong soldiers, and strong families.

On Friday, members of the Fort Hood community gathered to show each other their support in a "Army Family Covenant Re-Affirmation Ceremony."

"No matter what happens, we'll all be taken care of," Karcher said. "It's something that gives the soldier a peace of mind."

Those realities hit the entire post nearly three weeks ago when investigators say Major Nidal Hasan went on a shooting rampage.

"It all came home to a lot of people it was a tragedy,” said Karcher.

So, to show the Army’s commitment to soldiers and their families, Ft. Hood Commanders today signed the "Army Family Covenant" with a couple hundred soldiers and family members standing by.

“This covenant specifically tells soldiers and family members what the Army is going to do,” said Nick Johnsen, director of Ft. Hood Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Efforts to improve family programs, housing, school services, employment opportunities and access to heath care are underway. Many call it a reminder that families represent the strength of our nation and it’s future.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, introduced the Fort Hood Victims and Families Benefits Protection Act that would grant the victims of the Fort Hood attack and the families of the deceased victims the same legal status as if the attack had occurred in a combat zone, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas,  James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., joined Hutchison in introducing this legislation, which is similar to H.R. 4088, a House bill introduced on Tuesday by U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Texas.

"The soldiers who were gunned down at Fort Hood were targeted by a terrorist because they were soldiers about to be deployed to combat operations overseas," said Hutchison. "On that terrible day, Fort Hood became a battlefield in the War on Terror, and those killed and those wounded by this cowardly act of terrorism deserve to be recognized for their service in this war. And the families of the soldiers killed at Ft. Hood should not be denied benefits because their loved ones met the enemy here on our soil."

Inhofe, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the soldiers deserve the same treatment they give to the American people: Protection and support.

"Our men and women in uniform and their families sacrifice so much for this country each and every day," he said. "It is only right that we in turn take care of them. So far, what we know about this shooting indicates that it may have been carried out as more than an act of violence, but instead an act of war. Those suffering at Fort Hood deserve to have the same benefits as if this attack had happened in Iraq or Afghanistan. I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this measure, and I hope the Senate takes swift action."

Every day it grows more clear that the shooting at Fort Hood was the worst terrorist attack on America since September 11, 2001, said Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn. This bill will take a first step toward adequately honoring and providing for the victims of this horrific attack and their families, who remain in our prayers.

According to Hutchison, the Fort Hood Victims and Families Benefits Protection Act would grant the following status to any member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense who was killed or wounded in the attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009:

1) Military service members would be deemed to have been killed or wounded in a combat zone as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States; and

2) Civilian employees of the Department of Defense would be deemed to have been killed or wounded in a terrorist attack and while serving alongside the Armed Forces in a contingency operation.

The legislation makes the following findings:

• Fort Hood, Texas, has played a highly prominent role in the Global War on Terror, deploying more members of the Armed Forces into overseas theaters of combat since September 11, 2001, than any other United States military installation.
• The members of the Armed Forces and community of Fort Hood have answered the call to service with honor and distinction, and the post has paid a steep price, suffering more combat casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom than any other United States military installation.
• In the wake of the brutal September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the Federal Government set a historical precedent when it awarded the victims of those attacks who were members of the Armed Forces with the Purple Heart medal and the victims of those attacks who were civilian employees of the Department of Defense with the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom
• In the aftermath of the attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, this precedent should be followed.
• Lastly, the bill expresses the Sense of Congress on the following points:
• Any member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense who was killed or wounded in the attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009, and the family members of those victims, should receive the same treatment and benefits as the victims and families of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States
• These Americans have made tremendous sacrifices, and the United States should provide them with the maximum level of benefits available, identical to the level of benefits available to those who have been killed or wounded in an overseas combat zone such as Iraq or Afghanistan; and the Department of Defense should duly honor the Americans who were killed or injured in the attack at Fort Hood.
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