Honoring a Fallen Hero at Fort Hood

However, in 2009 Fort Hood hit the headlines worldwide after the biggest mass shooting on any American military base and changed the lives of military families forever.

Named after John Bell Hood, the military installation is the most populated army base in the world. A 340 square mile facility Fort Hood is the only post in the U.S. capable of stationing and training two armored divisions.

Camp Hood dates back to 1942 when gas was 19 cents a gallon, and there were only 48 stars on the American Flag. It was then that more than 100 thousand acres of rural farming land transformed into what we know today as Fort Hood. Almost 40,000 troops replaced 300 families.

In 2009 the world witnessed a massacre that changed the lives of Americans forever. 13 people were shot and killed and more than 30 injured at Fort Hood.

Michael Cahill was among those shot and killed. Cahill worked for six years at Fort Hood as a physician's assistant, helping soldiers deploying and returning from overseas, after working as a rural doctor and serving in the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves.

“My husband liked working in rural and somewhat remote clinics it was the people and his ability to understand them, listen to them, and piece together the pieces of the puzzle or know where to send a patient. He believed everyone deserved healthcare and dedicated much of his life to providing that to as many as possible. He was a brilliant person who loved challenges--figuring out what was wrong and fixing it, finding the zebra medical problem and making people's lives better through humanity, a holistic approach and good medical care. His patient's health came first, and he always fought for them. Mike saw what happened to his friends that were in Vietnam and the damage done to veterans of other wars, “ says Joleen Cahill

Michael Cahill was on call 24/7, and no call went unanswered he was very dedicated to his work.

“He loved his job so much that he drove 60 miles in each direction to get to work each day. He suffered a heart attack just three weeks before the fatal shooting, and he didn’t want anyone to know, that was the kind of man he was, strong and courageous” says Joleen Cahill.

Joleen's daughter and actress Kerry Cahill known for her role in "The Walking Dead" has joined forced with Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets) to create a wristband in memory of her father.

Heal Vets arts and crafts also provide therapy for veterans suffering from memory loss, stroke or extremity weakness.

The wristbands will now be part of the craft kits Heal Vets provides to thousands of vets around the country.

Joleen Kahill adds, “Focusing on the mental health of veterans is important because war is horrible and a person's humanity becomes obscured. The country ignored the mental issues health of those returning from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and other places and that was the wrong thing to do. If this country is going to send military members and others to war, then we are responsible for helping to heal the mental and physical wounds when they return and to help the families and communities to understand them and also to help them heal.

The goal for both Heal Vets and the Cahill family was to create something that veterans who suffered from PTSD could benefit from both physically and by honoring a fellow fallen veteran.

“On Memorial day and now every day of the year families and loved ones can visit the Nov 5 Ft Hood Memorial Thirteen columns formed in a circle one for each of the fallen and each has a bronze designed and writing written by the families. They circle the perimeter with a central triangle that lists the names of the fallen, wounded, and the event.” Adds Joleen Cahill.

To get your American made wristband or to learn more check out healvets.org/kerrycahill.