Daily Archives: December 9, 2009

From left, Janie Anderson, the family readiness group leader with Bravo Company, 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, her mother, Jo Ellen Freleigh, and Janie's daughter participate in a candlelight vigil Nov. 6, 2009, at the stadium at Fort Hood, Texas. The event was held in memory of the 13 people killed Nov. 5 by a lone gunman. (U.S. Army photo by Grazyna Musick/Released)

Fort Hood, Texas, the largest military installation in the world, is home to tens of thousands of soldiers and their families, along with the schools and recreational services that make it a vibrant community.

Lovingly referred to as “The Great Place,” now a shocked community is doing what residents say is their only option: providing as much love and support as they can in the wake of the horrific November 5 shootings.

Robin Crouse, director of USO Fort Hood, received the phone call at 2 P.M. that day, telling her to lock down the Center immediately. Someone was shooting soldiers on post. She immediately locked the building and told the 35 soldiers at the Center what was going on.

“At the time I was really nervous because we’re only a half-mile from the scene,” Crouse said. “It was surreal.”‘

Read the full story from ON★PATROL Magazine