~1~
The shootings yesterday took place at the SRP or Soldier Readiness Processing Center. This is where soldiers who are deploying go to take care of business in different stations. For instance, there's a legal station to take care of your will. A medical station to make sure your shots and health records are up to date. I know that soldiers also go through the SRP after a deployment but I don't know what they do. Ben is readying for a deployment. He was there all last week and this past Monday.
~2~
The commentary on the news was just too inane at times. Really, MSNBC? Salon.com and Rolling Stones magazine for analysis? And, by mentioning that one of the guns is a semi-automatic? A semi-automatic is just a regular handgun that you don't have to cock the hammer on each time you take a shot. It's not what most people might picture when you hear the word "automatic" when talking about guns.
~3~
My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were visiting for Ben's promotion ceremony. He didn't get to spend hardly any time with them. He got locked down and didn't make it home until 10 last night. They left this morning. My children loved having Auntie to themselves since she traveled without her children.
~4~
We went out to dinner after waiting around for my husband to come home. It was eerie. On a Thursday night at 6:30, we would've normally waited for a table especially as we were a party of 7. However, there were rows of empty parking spaces and lots of space in the restaurant. We were seated right away. To put it into perspective, a whole soccer team came to have dinner and were seated almost immediately. I'm sure all the businesses (especially the restaurants) learned how dependent they are on the soldiers in this community.
~5~
Ben is just devastated by what has happened.
~6~
I'm troubled by how long it took them to close down Fort Hood. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy we were able to get away. But, why did it take so long? The incident happened around 1:30. We left at 2pm to take the coffee urn back to the club. They didn't start the procedure to shut down until after that. Also, how can you stay away from windows and take shelter when places weren't letting you in the buildings? I have a friend who had to take shelter in her car with her children because the buildings she was outside when the sirens went off wouldn't let her in. Just how safe were we sitting in our cars? I cannot even stress just how close we were to getting stuck.
~7~
I have learned what an awesome community I am a part of; IRL and in cyberspace. I thank everyone for their concern and prayers. It was a truly rough day. And, I will do what our priest suggested. I will say a Hail Mary for each person killed and for each person injured. Even the shooter as much as I'd rather not (sorry, I have to be honest).
Photo credit: Photography by Cho aka my brother
KC,
Praying for everyone at Ft. Hood--I will join you in praying Hail Mary's as your priest suggested. God bless and hugs,
Posted by: Jennifer in TX | November 06, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Continued prayers for your family, your community, and our brave soldiers K.C. So glad you are all well.
Posted by: Lisa | November 06, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Just so tragic. I am more shocked today, I think than I was yesterday. maybe. Lord, have mercy.
I should have known your brother did the photos! I love, love, love the third photo, the one of his rank that caught Ben's beautiful, infectious smile!
Posted by: Sue | November 06, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Beautiful family pictures. We are a military family as well. I was Army, my husband still is and my brother is a pilot who just left for Afghanistan. We lived at Ft. Hood 2 years ago. I was in the MCCW. Yes, we have to pray even for the shooter. I just keep thinking that there are so so so many hurting soldiers and sometimes they just go crazy.
Posted by: Elisa | November 06, 2009 at 11:33 AM
KC, these are such beautiful photos of your beautiful family. I'm so sorry for what you all went through yesterday. Congratulations to your husband.
Posted by: Jennifer | November 06, 2009 at 01:57 PM
i'm sitting here with my husband looking at your pictures. he thinks they're very cool pictures. what a beautiful family you have. again, congratulations!
Posted by: cecelia | November 06, 2009 at 02:22 PM
I am at a loss for words over this incident. He betrayed his military family. I too have a hard time including him in my prayers but I will do so.
Your brother did a fabulous job on the pictures! Congratulations again, Ben!
Posted by: Cathy | November 07, 2009 at 08:54 AM
Hi KC,
Your photos are beautiful. I love the one of your whole family. I was away this week and I watched the news about Ft. Hood in my hotel room. I was thinking of you and your family and hoping that you were all ok. I will keep you all in my prayers as Ben is getting ready for deployment.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 08, 2009 at 03:15 PM
I am so sad to just now realize you and your family were part of this tragedy. Praise God you are all right! The photos are amazing and you look beautiful. Please thank your husband for his service to our country.
I will be praying for you all,
Erica
Posted by: Erica Sanchez | November 10, 2009 at 12:03 AM
these photos are amazing, your words are powerful. thank you for sharing your life with us. We have been praying daily for all of those affected, and have so many questions to still try to answer for our kids.
Thank you for your service to our country.
Peace of Christ,
lisa
Posted by: LisaR | November 13, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Posted by: school_dubl | December 29, 2010 at 04:07 PM