Tragedy.

[mijan]

Please read:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/05/texas.fort.hood.shootings/index.html

It's moments like this when I am SO sharply reminded that once you're a Soldier, you never stop being part of the military family.  I lost eleven brothers and sisters today.  Another 31 were wounded.  HERE.  On American soil.  Where they should be safe.  I don't even know their names.  I'm waiting to hear who they are, because I know people who are stationed there.

I'm trying not to cry.  It's not working.

Senseless, needless loss of life.

I need a drink.

Comments

[mintcloud.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry.

*hugs*

[vixys.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

I've just spent about five minutes staring at this comment box, unable to come up with anything to say. It's like you said: that's just a pointless waste of life, and that's something that transcends the Internet and country borders.

I hope to God that the people you know stationed there are okay. If you need to talk, I'll make time.

My thoughts are with the dead, and their families - and with you. ♥

[mijan.livejournal.com]

I don't really know what to say either. I'm just stunned. Hollow. Upset. Almost-crying.

Don't worry about me. Worry about them. It was hard enough with Private Ware's family. He was ONE Soldier, and it was the hardest thing I ever did to give his personal belongings to his parents and give them my condolences as his commanding officer. I can't imagine... eleven of them. Dear gods. And the wounded. They should have been safe. They should have been safe.

[vixys.livejournal.com]

Tragedies like these always seem to bring out the speechlessness in us all.

I'm thinking of them and their families--of course I am--but I'm going to worry about you as well. You take these things hard, and from what you're saying, this is hitting a little too close to the bone for comfort. So I'll worry about everyone, you and them, and yes, they should have been safe, and it's a travesty and a tragedy that they weren't. ♥

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's hitting a bit too close for comfort. I'll be fine though. It's just this sick clammy feeling that sticks in your gut and twists your stomach. I understand why people drink hard liquor now. The burn makes that clammy feeling go away, even if only for a moment.

There's just nothing to say. It happened, and I can't change it, and... *sigh*

I'm gonna walk home now. Be back shortly.

[vixys.livejournal.com]

I probably won't be here when you get back (which makes me a bad, bad person)--I have two assessments tomorrow, and it's already 11--and I'm sorry for that, but do just know that I'm going to be thinking about this - and about you. And yes, you will be fine, but please, don't go all crazy and destroy your liver. Sleep, work, write, eat. It sounds callous, but try and keep your mind off it.

*hugs* My thoughts are with you. ♥

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Hun, I'm gonna drink coffee tonight and bury myself in a fanfic I'm writing. That was already the plan. Don't worry, hun. I've gotten pretty good at keeping a level head over the years. People just don't realize it until the shit hits the fan.

*hugs* Take care of your academics, and I'll talk to you soon. <3

[lunalovegoddess.livejournal.com]

Exactly this. I'm sort of numb, because, although I'm not directly affected on a personal level, I feel ill when I hear of any loss of life. No one is unaffected by such an event. To my knowledge, I do not know anyone out there, but many of my family members have backgrounds in the military or are currently reservists now, and most likely have served together.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Gods, yes.

I keep checking for details, trying to construct some narrative about the shooter(s?) and his reasons.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'll watch the news reports a bit... but I don't know how much of it I can watch. I'm already upset.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

I can't watch the news, but I keep surfing the edge of sites. The officer/psych bit is what gets me - how? And the sick feeling because is a Muslim. Last thing we need is more fuel to the hatred of Muslims.

[lizardspots.livejournal.com]

Oh my god. D:

[silvertoekee.livejournal.com]

ya i was shocked hearing about this since I grew up around there and had to check on my mom who lives like 10 mins away. sad to say but glad my bro was sent to IRAQ before this happened :(.

[parthenia14.livejournal.com]

That's just terrible for all of us, let alone someone who knows the place and the situation so deeply. I'm so sorry.

[auroraceleste.livejournal.com]

Drinks all around :-(

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. One of the suspected gunmen is dead... Major Nidal Malik Hassan. Two more suspects are in custody. 3 gunmen? This was planned.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

He was an OFFICER??? Good fucking lord.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

He was an officer, and apparently a shrink as well. Maj. Malik Hasan.
CanNOT wrap my brain around this.
12 dead 31 wounded. Gunmen were soldiers and apparently used several differnt weapons. Governor GoodHair (Rick Perry) has ordered that all flags in Texas be flown at half staff till Sunday.
I mean, it's one thing to lose our beloved troops overseas.., but at home? are they safe anywhere?

[ruisseau.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[mijan.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

[seticat.livejournal.com]

In a lot of ways once you wore the uniform, you never really take it off. This is just unthinkable.

They were ours. Members of our military family. Here on US soil. Killed by one of their own - an officer and a doctor who was tied by his two separate oaths to take care of them.

Every time I think I've got the demons and the shadows that came back with me from the Gulf in '91 under wraps, it's something like this that rips things apart and brings all the feelings of helplessness to the fore.

May all the Powers receive them to their peace. May those left behind be given the strength to heal their wounds, both of the flesh and of the spirit.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

He was an officer. And a doctor. A fucking OFFICER. When I got commissioned, I swore a personal oath to always put the lives of the troops above my own. How could he? What the hell happened? This makes no sense. I can't even begin to wrap my head around it. I can't fucking believe it. I just can't.

[seticat.livejournal.com]

Believe me, I understand. I was a senior NCO [E-8/MSG] 91C/91B back than and I took that *very* seriously. They were my 'kids' for Christ's sake! If they had job issues, we worked it out. If they had family issues, I got them whatever help they needed. When we deployed I made sure they knew that 'Mom's door was always open - 24/7.

We as health care providers swear deep in our heart of hearts to 'First, do no Harm'. This man held the hearts and souls of the men and women he swore to take care of in his hands and he used those same hands to crush their lives out.

There is no pit in Hell deep enough for what's left of his blackened and pitiful little soul.

[trigeekgirl.livejournal.com]

I need one too - and my daddy's okay, even.

[meredyth-13.livejournal.com]

*sends hugs*

Honey, don't know what to say. :(

[cedarrapidsgirl.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[abigail89.livejournal.com]

You don't need to be strong. Have that cry. And a drink.

It's so heartbreaking. I'm so sorry.

[nikki4noo.livejournal.com]

Horrible. There are no words that can express the sadness. Any time you need a chat, I'm here.

It is unfortunate instances like this that remind us that the world is a dangerous place and to take the time to enjoy each and every moment we have here.

[gasphemer.livejournal.com]

Oh god, oh god.

Words would just trivialize this.

:(

[hummingfox.livejournal.com]

As a military brat, this story hits hard for me as well. While I never served, I too feel absolutely sickened by this event. Geeze, I even remember living in Kileen, TX as both of my parents were stationed at Ft. Hood. *hugs* In times like this, we can just pray for the victims, their families and all of our troops. Take care of yourself and please let us know if your friends are safe as well.

[paganitician.livejournal.com]

*huggles*

[lilyrose-fic.livejournal.com]

I really never know what to say when it comes to things like this because I'm simply not capable of being able to understand how these things happen.

I'm so sorry for anyone personally involved. It's horrifying, it really is.

[colloween.livejournal.com]

As soon as I heard, I thought of you, and my other friends here and already stationed in Afghanistan.

Prayers being said for all of you.