This memorial honors the fallen and the survivors of that tragic day on 5 November 2009, when twelve soldiers, a civilian, and an unborn child were killed and thirty-one wounded during a shooting terrorist attack at the SRP Medical Center on Ft Hood Army Post.
On the top of the entrance columns is an American eagle, Eagle of The Republic, rising from a nest of fifty arrows and fifty olive branches, representing the fifty states, signifying the strength of the Nation with our ability to defend peaceful intentions. Placed at the two entrances of the memorial you will find a brick embedded in the sidewalk. Michael Cahill's widow, Joleen, retrieved these bricks from the Soldiers Readiness Processing Center building # 42003 when it was demolished after the trial ended.
The memorial is built in a circle, or ring that symbolizes unity, strength, with no beginning, and no end. The roof at the center of the pavilion is open to the sky with a large 60-foot flagpole reaching upward. The opening is often referred to as a celestial window. The United States flag is a symbol of victory and self-assertion. Four lights are on the flag facing North, South, East, and West, representing the four corners of America.
At the base of the flagpole is a black granite stone in the shape of a three-sided pyramid. On the first surface are the names of the fallen,and on the next surface are the names of the survivors. On the final surface is a description of the 5 November 2009, event.
On the perimeter of the pavilion is a circle of thirteen black granite columns in the shape of a triangle four-feet high, by eighteen inches wide. This area is referred to as the heart and soul of the memorial. The sides of each of the columns are etched with the fallen hero's name, an engraved portrait, and a message written by the family or friend about the person honored. On top of the column is a cast bronze created to represent the favorite object of that person while living, The objects range from, books, caps, coffee cups, military awards, or even a Scooby-Doo.
While standing inside the memorial, if you say a prayer, sing a song, or say a poem you can hear an echo. Look around: you can see and feel the heart and soul of this memorial that has been dedicated to the fallen and survivors.