Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Dowland | Brenda Hain, a civilian member of the prosecution team from the court-martial of the...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas - Members of the Fort Hood community united to plant a seedling received from the September 11th Survivor Tree at Fort Hood Memorial Park, Jan. 29. The seedling was presented by the 9/11 Memorial fund to honor the sacrifices of the victims and families of the shootings at Fort Hood on Nov. 5, 2009 and April 2, 2014.
The Survivor Tree was the only tree to survive the tragic attacks at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Amongst the debris, a single, devastated yet alive tree struggled to survive the hardship that it had just endured.
With time and care received by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the Survivor Tree healed and regained strength. After the tree’s recuperation, it was returned to the Memorial in 2010 and a Survivor Tree seedling program was founded Sept. 11, 2013.
This year, 9/11 Memorial Fund sent seedlings to the community of Fort Hood, Texas, in memory of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings, the victims of the Oso, Washington, mudslide on March 22, 2014, and the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulfport, Mississippi, in August 2005.
“I was here at Fort Hood during both shootings,” said Marissa Foster, event coordinator with Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security under U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Hood. “It is very moving to see the fallen and their families honored in this way.”
The seedling represents the strength of the surrounding community, as well as unity across the country in the face of adversity. Members of the Fort Hood community worked to offer healing and support to rebuild after the hardships, similar to how the nation banded together after 9/11.
“From tragedy and adversity stems wholeness,” said Chaplain (Col.) Robert Warden, Fort Hood garrison chaplain. “We all belong together.”
Those that assisted the fallen, survivors and families of the Fort Hood shootings joined Soldiers and prominent members of the community as they reflected on the resiliency of those impacted by the shootings.
“I hope that memorials like this help the survivors and families to know that we dedicate all of our energy into helping them during their healing,” said Brenda Hain, a civilian on the prosecution team from the court-martial of the Nov. 5, 2009 shooter.
Healing and remembrance of victims positively affects families and survivors struck with so much negativity. The tree planting offered a constructive, lasting honor just beginning to come to fruition, honoring those who selflessly gave their lives during the shootings, and lending a sense of rebirth and growth from now on for those impacted.
“As a member of the prosecution team, it was our goal not only to uphold and enforce the laws, but also to give justice and healing for the family members and survivors,” said Hain. “I hope that this provides comfort during their recovery and healing as they move on with their lives.”
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2015 12:13 |
| Story ID: | 153390 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 77 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Community tree planting represents resiliency, strength, by SPC Jacqueline Dowland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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