Seventeen years after a deadly shooting at Fort Hood in 2009, families of the victims are grappling with the looming execution of the gunman, Nidal Hasan, scheduled for December 3. The attack, carried out by Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan, killed 13 people and wounded 31.

Families Navigate Grief and Remembrance

For Keely Cahill Vanacker, the 17 years since the loss of her father, Michael Cahill, have been about holding onto his values. Cahill, a retired Army National Guard infantryman and physician assistant, was remembered by his daughter for his dedication to serving others. "My dad really valued people, and he touched a lot of lives," Vanacker said.

Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger, another victim, was inspired to join the Army by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Her mother, Jeri Krueger, recalled Amy's determination to make a difference, saying, "When Amy said she was going to do something, she did it." Amy had been preparing for a deployment when she was killed.

Staff Sgt. Justin DeCrow, also killed in the attack, was influenced by his Vietnam veteran father and known for his positive attitude and work ethic. His wife, Marikay DeCrow, described their deep connection and the pain of him not being able to be present for their daughter Kylah's early milestones. "When he would look at me, all I saw was the love he had for me. I couldn't imagine my life without him," she said.

The Day of the Attack and its Aftermath

On November 5, 2009, Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Processing Center. Hasan, motivated by Islamic extremism and anti-American sentiments regarding conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, carried out the attack. Among the casualties were Michael Cahill, Amy Krueger, and Justin DeCrow.

The aftermath for the families was a difficult period of uncertainty. Vanacker recounted waiting nearly a year to understand her father's final moments, learning later that he had bravely attempted to confront Hasan. In August 2013, Hasan was convicted on all counts by a military jury, which sentenced him to death. He has been on military death row for 13 years.

In 2015, victims of the massacre received Purple Hearts or the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom.

Hasan's Execution and Family Reactions

President Donald Trump approved Hasan's death sentence in October, directing his execution by firing squad on December 3. This would be the first execution by the U.S. military since 1961 and the first by firing squad since 1945.

Marikay DeCrow expressed a sense of relief, stating, "I have been waiting for 17 years to hear this." She believes Hasan deserves the death penalty, emphasizing the devastating impact he had on their lives. Vanacker and Krueger, however, indicated that Hasan's execution was not personally necessary for their closure, with Krueger stating, "He was already dead to me, and I did not think about him."

Some family members expressed concern that the execution might fulfill Hasan's desire to be a martyr. The initial plan by the administration to livestream the execution also drew criticism from the families, who felt it was potentially disrespectful and could endanger the execution itself. President Trump later canceled the planned livestream.

Continuing Legacies

Families are finding ways to honor their lost loved ones. Jeri Krueger and others organize an annual bar crawl called "Krueg's Crawl" to raise funds for a scholarship in Amy Krueger's name. For Vanacker, remembering her father involves revisiting traditions and finding strength in his enduring words: "It builds character, kid."

Though the media attention surrounding Hasan's impending execution brings renewed emotions, the shared experience has forged a strong bond among the families. They find solace in their connection and the enduring values and memories of those they lost.