Nov.5th 2009 I didnt even really know about Fort Hood, I was a silly civilian from Southern California. I was aware of Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin as they were near me. Other than that I was a clueless civilian. I had started working with Veterans, Troops and their families prior to this day, learning to respect and care for them like never before. I knew this was my purpose to share the ESS work to assist and support them. That day I was coaching Vietnam Vets in my office in Carlsbad. I hadnt heard the news about the shooting. A Retired LTC walked into my office to be trained on the program, he was visibly shaken as he explained what had unfolded on Fort Hood. I knew one of my Soldiers John Gaffaney, who I was to coach/train via Skype in Iraq once he deployed from Fort Hood, yet I was unaware that where the shooting took place at the SRP Center was exactly where John would be. Devastated that such a thing could happen on a Post and witnessing firsthand how the many Vets and Troops were affected was heart wrenching. Two days later in a training for Vets, I received the news that John was among the killed on Fort Hood. Because I knew how much John, as psych nurse who had went back to the Army after years of being out, wanted to help and support the Troops while in Iraq with the ESS coaching program, I became even more committed to share this work. Through a series of twists and turns I ended up here on Fort Hood coaching and training Troops, Veterans in the area and their families 2 years later. I do this work in John Gaffaney s honor and all who lost their lives on Nov. 5th, 2009. I have been humbled meeting survivors and family members doing all I can to support them. Today and everyday I live my life with the focus and commitment that John shared with me was his dream to ease the suffering of his brothers and sisters in the Military. Please remember the survivors and the families affected by this horrific day.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:38:17 +0000
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