Shooting in Fort Hood - muslims speak out

Tragedy, isn't it? When those who purport to heal cannot do so, even for themselves. PTSD is a horrible problem for many. It is something that began being talked about during the Vietnam War, once it was recognized as such. Those who work with soldiers are susceptible to these disorders. It was during the Vietnam War that military wives began to organize and create a more humane way of informing family members of soldier's deaths. See We Were Soldiers...Once and Young, by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore.

There is much rumour, and many speculations on the Fort Hood shootings. I will wait for the facts to come out. I have seen, by comments on, for example, CBC News, that many are not waiting and have come to their own conclusions. There are bizarre Facebook groups with similarly badly intentioned sites and posts.

I felt heartwarmed when I read the comments by American Muslims, and Official Muslim agencies, who have bemoaned this tragedy. American Muslims, who have expressed their own grief, need to speak out even louder. The post reads, in part,

American Muslims condemn Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's Ft. Hood shooting & killing

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan's shooting and killing spree at Ft. Hood in Texas was horrific, cowardly and unjustifiable under any circumstances.  May God bless and protect the survivors and the friends, families and colleagues of all who were killed or wounded by Hasan's violence.  May God grant those innocent souls who were killed today by Hasan peace.

I feel for the families of those slain, and those who saved one another, families must be proud. While I bow in honour to those who, like the woman who managed to stop the horror, I fear for those involved is such events. Boston News said, 

Sgt. Kimberly Munley was shot multiple times in Thursday’s attack at the Texas army facility when she exchanged fire with the gunman, risking her life to end the mass shooting. Munley is in stable condition at a Texas hospital.

We can focus on learning from this horrific event, rather than disparaging an entire religious group. We can praise the efforts of those who assisted the wounded, dead and dying. And, after all the facts come out, determine the cause. 

The pub (Dunn Gaherins), where Kim Munley used to work, has displayed messages of thanks to a marvellous hero. 

We Were Soldiers Once and Young: Ia Drang the ... by Harold G Moore, Joseph L Galloway We Were Soldiers Once . . . And Young Site dedicated to the events of Nov. 1965 at LZ XRAY in the Ia Drang Valley; the first major battle of the US forces

LZ Xray
In November 1965, 450 U.S. soldiers were dropped into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers.
(Battle Animation)


Further PTSD References, an essay I wrote for my M.A. PTSD course.