Military Confidence Still Strong After Fort Hood Incident

Students and military personnel alike are still in shock and disarray over finding out that a U.S. Army Major allegedly shot and killed 13 soldiers, while wounding several others at Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a military psychologist, has been charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder. The Pentagon has launched a full scale investigation of the incident.

Many Americans have family members in the military, and any one of them could have been a victim of the November 5 crime. There are many unanswered questions that people have, and the incident was a hot topic on the minds of people on Veterans Day in Greenboro.

Members of the U.S. military are angry.

“I think he’s a coward because he worked for the enemy and killed our servicemen and women because he was mad that we were sending more troops to Iraq," said Brennden Colbert, an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force from East Hartford, Conn. during a phone interview. "I’m also mad at the U.S. government because I don’t think a Middle Eastern native should be allowed to be involved in the Iraq war without a background check. I’m highly disappointed because now we have to watch our backs in our own backyard."

The anger continues to be a problem because now people are starting to question whether or not this could have been prevented. They are also beginning to put into question how much attention is paid to our own country, rather than the ones we are fighting.

“I feel that the military police should be more aware of their own backyard and that they should realize that things can happen here. Sometimes the enemy can wear the American flag on their right arm just like we do,” said Colbert.

“It was a tragic event, and the man responsible should be punished to the highest extent of the law,” said U.S. Army Private Lavon Colvin, an A&T alumni from Greensboro.

"It's not even Afghanistan and we are dying over here in the United States. I have not lost faith in the military, I just think that we should have better tactics when it comes to protecting our men and women," said Pertenia Haynes, a sophomore special education major at North Carolina A&T.

Despite the tragedy, Colbert says he still has a duty to perform. On Veterans Day 2009, Colbert reflected on that duty.

"No, I don't feel any different about the military. Integrity first. Service before self, and excellence in all we do are the core values of the U.S. Air Force. However, these values go along with all components of the military. Anything that happens to us is just as much a learning experience for us as it is for civilians. When everything else fails, we don't," said Colbert.

They will still continue to fight for what they believe in, and protect this country as best as they can.

By: Essence Lee

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Homecoming Football Game: What Went Wrong?

The Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University looked forward to beating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Saturday's homecoming football game. Unfortunately, the victory was taken from us with a final score of 31-13 in favor of the Wildcats.

The entire school was excited and ready for the win at the pep rally on Monday evening. The football team even guaranteed A&T the win with promising eyes and believing hearts. The game on Saturday came to be the Aggies sixth straight loss for homecoming. So what went wrong?

I spoke with Justin Ferrell, a sophomore defensive back starting player, majoring in business management. He felt that the game could have been won if it wasn't for the players and their lack of motivation.

"The coaches put us in position to win the game, but us as players failed to execute the game plan," said Ferrell.

1. How did you manage football and having fun this homecoming?

A: Having fun was not on my mind during the week of the game. I stayed focused and motivated because I wanted our team to be victorious. Then if by chance we would have won, we could have had all the fun we wanted.

2. What was your favorite memory?

A: Even though we lost, my favorite memory was seeing all the Aggie Pride displayed and support shown throughout the week..

3. What do you look forward to for next homecoming?

A: Next homecoming I look forward to us winning the game and sending our seniors out with a more defining moment.

4. How do you feel about the game overall?

A: We played horrible all game. There was no sense of urgency and it didn't seem as if anyone was motivated. The coaches put us in position to win the game, but us as players failed to execute the game plan.

5. What did you do when you weren't on the field?

A: When I wasn't on the field, in which I played majority of the game, I tried to keep my head up and stay motivated and continue to believe that we were going to win the game.

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