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On November 5, 2009, many of us remember exactly where we were when we heard about the unspeakable evil unfolding at Fort Hood. Fourteen innocent Americans lost their lives that day, including an unborn baby who never had a chance at life. Since then, our community has come together to heal and we have shown the world the very best of America. Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to protect our freedom and we will never forget the stories of our fallen brothers and sisters.
Glen Rose resident Melissa Graddick said she knew she'd found her calling in December 2016 after gazing across the grounds of the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park in Virginia.
"I saw these beautiful wreaths sitting on these graves of Civil War soldiers," Graddick said. "I took a picture and went over and picked one up and the tag on it read Wreaths Across America."
Before that, Graddick had never heard of the organization.
FORT HOOD — The day began with overcast skies, soon followed by a light rain. But by the time the ceremony began, the sun was shining and the U.S. flags at the Nov. 5, 2009, Memorial were flapping in the breeze.
Roughly 200 people had gathered at the memorial: Family members and friends of the 13 who were killed and 31 wounded 10 years ago by ex-Army Maj. Nidal Hasan; survivors, to include the Department of the Army policeman who ended Hasan's shooting spree; U.S. Congressmen; members of the community; and members of the committee who made the memorial possible.
FORT HOOD, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today released the following statement on the 10th anniversary of the Fort Hood massacre, which injured more than 30 individuals and took the lives of 14 others, including 12 military service members, one civilian and an unborn child:
"When our world needed him most, he and his fellow Soldiers answered the call and put their lives on the line in service to the greatest generation," Congressman Roger Williams, District 25, told the crowd gathered Friday to honor Jose Manzano-Somera.
Manzano-Somera, of Georgetown, was presented with the highest honor bestowed to a civilian – the Congressional Gold Medal, during a ceremony at the West Atrium inside III Corps Headquarters, surrounded by his family and friends.
FORT HOOD, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today joined Vice President Mike Pence at Fort Hood to participate in a veterans roundtable and training demonstrations.
Congressman Williams released the following statement:
It was a tremendous privilege today to present Filipino World War II veteran Jose Monzano Somera with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award bestowed by Congress on a civilian. Mr. Somera served from 1944-1946 with units of the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East against Japanese Imperial Forces, and enlisted in the Philippine Scouts, a regular Army unit, from August 1946 until April 1949. He later became a U.S. citizen in the 1950s.
FORT HOOD, Texas — As a boy growing up in the Philippines during World War II, Jose Manzano-Somera's family opened their home to the American soldiers who filled their hometown.
Eventually, Manzano-Somera would join the soldiers as the war ended and serve as part of the New Philippine Scouts of the U.S. Army, a unit that helped track down and eliminate bands of Japanese fighters that refused to surrender.
FORT HOOD, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today presented the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II Veteran Jose Monzano Somera at Fort Hood. Mr. Somera served from 1944-1946 with units of the U.S. Army Forces in the Far East against Japanese Imperial Forces, later enlisting in the Philippine Scouts, a regular Army unit, from August 1946 until April 1949.
Congressman Williams released the following statement:
It was an honor to welcome President Donald Trump to the 25th District last week as Louis Vuitton opened their new facility in Johnson County.