Dear Soldier:
We don't know who you are yet. You are one of the dozen soldiers who died today in Texas at Ft. Hood.
We don't know your name or where you came from.
So much we don't know....
We don't know why the gunman chose to fire his weapon at you. We don't know how he got that weapon. We don't know if the shot that killed you was fired in hate from a religious fanatic or in anger from a political extremist. It may have been that the shooter couldn't handle the pain of seeing so many young Americans returned to our country in pieces from wars in far off places. We just don't know. And to be honest...it doesn't really matter. The result is the same regardless the cause. Twelve Americans died today preparing to go to war. In days to come, we can and will sort out the why, but tonight should be about honoring your sacrifice.
We don't know who your family is. We don't know if it's your children who cry tonight, your parents or your wife. Maybe all of them. We only know that they are there and that they grieve their loss with all of their hearts.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Your not supposed to die on American soil at the hands of a fellow American. For that we apologize, for we have failed you. It is unfortunate that life is full of "it's not supposed to be's".
So much we don't know. But we do know this....you died as an American soldier. And you and your family are in our prayers.
And we know that we owe you for your sacrifice to our country.
God Speed to our fallen soldiers! Our thoughts are with your families tonight.