Originally written November 6, 2009
The most striking factor about tragedy is the way in which it intrudes on our comfortable routines changing us forever. Countless writers commented on the normality of the 9/11 morning. People woke up, ate breakfast, dressed, and left for work just like every other day. This same type of shock slapped our nation yesterday as we learned that Major Nadal Malik Hassan killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood as they prepared to deploy. Immediately, questions concerning Hassan's religious and political loyalty were raised in search of explanation.
But no explanation will satisfy the hearts of the victims' colleagues, families, and friends. The audacity of an American soldier striking his brothers and sisters-at arms, possibly endangering military dependents, on their home base wounds deeply and has resulted in demands for justice. As individuals and as a nation, we must avoid reacting poorly so that we are free to offer an appropriate response.
First, we can respond with support to our military. The website http://troopssupport.com/contains an index of organizations that accomplishes this feat. All of us can choose one or several with whom to link ourselves and begin! Because of my personal associations with military families, I have witnessed the positive affect these acts of kindness have on the morale of our troops. Also, pray for our military and their families. The very action of lifting them before God can help us discover new ways to help.
But no explanation will satisfy the hearts of the victims' colleagues, families, and friends. The audacity of an American soldier striking his brothers and sisters-at arms, possibly endangering military dependents, on their home base wounds deeply and has resulted in demands for justice. As individuals and as a nation, we must avoid reacting poorly so that we are free to offer an appropriate response.
First, we can respond with support to our military. The website http://troopssupport.com/contains an index of organizations that accomplishes this feat. All of us can choose one or several with whom to link ourselves and begin! Because of my personal associations with military families, I have witnessed the positive affect these acts of kindness have on the morale of our troops. Also, pray for our military and their families. The very action of lifting them before God can help us discover new ways to help.
Second, we can respond with wisdom and sober minds, avoiding emotionally-charged traps like blanketed accusations. Nadal Malik Hassan murdered the 13 soldiers at Fort Hood. I am positive that how his vocal opposition to the wars in Iraq escaped more drastic intervention will be ironed out in the weeks to come. No evidence suggests that he acted on behalf of a Muslim community anywhere, so holding all Muslims responsible would be a serious error. All accountability rests with the criminal, not his religious affiliation. Saying that he did this deed because he was Muslim with the assertion that all Muslims do those things is just as wrong as saying he did this deed because he was in the Army and all Army soldiers do those things.
I learned about Fort Hood yesterday between Reading and English classes. My first thoughts focused on my nephew, currently serving in Iraq. He is a young man with most of his life yet to live. He plans to get married and raise a family even as he risks his life daily for this country. His entire family loves him passionately and we would each be devastated should we lose him. For the families of the victims at Fort Hood, the hum of life has turned to static as the reality of this event settles into their souls and a new normal, life without someone dearly loved, begins. My heart is broken for them all--May God comfort each one.
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