American Legion Commander Expresses Condolences and Offer of Help in Wake of
Ft. Hood Shootings
WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Legion National
Commander Clarence E. Hill released the following statement concerning this
afternoon's shootings at Ft. Hood:
"My first reaction was purely emotional. I was shocked and speechless. The
American Legion extends condolences to the victims and the families of those
affected by the shootings at Fort Hood. The facts are not all out and there is
still much about the events that we do not yet know. We do know, however, that
The American Legion will reach out to assist any soldiers, family members or
other victims of this horrible tragedy in any way possible. We will release
further statements as the facts become known."
John Brieden, a Texan and past national commander of The American Legion,
said, "The first thought I have about this tragedy is that I'm angry. You've
got folks who are preparing to deploy into a dangerous area of the world, and
you've got them here at home being attacked. And it makes me angry that they
would lose their lives in this way, right here in America."
Brieden said The American Legion has several programs such as its Family
Support Network that are designed to reach out to families who suffer tragic
losses. "All of a sudden, we have families with a father, mother, a spouse who
isn't going to be coming home. So how do you deal with this?
"Yes, they need help," Brieden said. "And The American Legion will certainly
be helping those families who lost loved ones in such a horrible incident. We
intend to help as much as we possibly can."
Killeen American Legion Post 223, and Coppers Cover Post 582 in Texas are
standing by to lend whatever assistance might be needed in the area.
SOURCE The American Legion
Craig Roberts, +1-202-263-2982, Cell +1-202-406-0887, or Joe March,
+1-317-630-1253, Cell (317) 748-1926, both of American Legion
