Terror at Ft. Hood
So Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan is a “devout” Muslim, we are told, who prayed several days a week at a Mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland. He’s also a native born American of Palestinian parents. My Muslim friends tell me Islam is a peaceful religion, with dozens of references in the Koran rejecting violence. We don’t know if his religious beliefs played any part in his alleged murderous rampage, but the case of Maj. Hasan, who technically at this stage is only a “suspect,” is not helping the image of peaceful Islam. [Latest details on military.com] While we withhold judgment awaiting more facts, it’s safe to say this terrorist act will only deepen the mistrust many Americans have for those who follow the Islamic faith. And that is a sad truth.
Right now though my heart goes out to the victims and their families. I asked my friend Ami Neiberger-Miller, over at TAPS, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, what we can do. She sent along this tip sheet:
TIPS FOR SUPPORTING FAMILIES GRIEVING SOLDIERS KILLED IN THE FORT HOOD SHOOTING TRAGEDY
And Ami tells me that when the shooting broke out, some “survivor” families of were gathering at the TAPS office at Ft. Hood, for what was supposed to be “family fun day’, including a field trip. But instead they were trapped in the office for hours by the base lockdown.
What happens now? Well, Ami says the military will provide survivors benefits — which is typically $400,000 in life insurance (servicemembers have to opt for coverage but most do), plus the $100,000 death benefit. Widows and children receive ongoing financial benefits and healthcare (for kids up to age 18), and commissary privileges. All immediate family members of someone who died in the military qualify for free bereavement counseling through the Vet Centers.
I have to say $500,000 doesn’t seem like much. If you invested that money and tried to live off the interest, it would be well below the poverty level.
But at TAPS they try to go the extra mile. They offer:
– Seminars for adults to help them cope with grief and loss and build a peer support network
– Good Grief Camps for children designed to help children with their grief and build resiliency skills to help them in life
– peer mentoring with a trained survivor who is there to offer positive support
– casualty casework assistance — helping the family access benefits, headstone issues, getting reports (depends on what family needs help with)
– grief and trauma resources to help families coping with loss — including TAPS magazine that is produced quarterly, a survivor care packet, etc.
– TAPS care groups offer positive peer-based support in a supported environment
– assistance accessing counseling or locating support groups — we often help families schedule appointments with their Vet Centers and other mental health professionals
– 24–7 hotline for anyone grieving the death of someone who died in the Armed Forces
– 24–7 crisis intervention available
– online communities, chats, and online forums for military survivors provide a place to turn for connection and support
Tags: Ft. Hood, Islam, Maj. Nidal Hasan, Shooting
