Of course he spoke to last week's events, particularly the noble actions of numerous soldiers at the scene, two in particular: A Captain who was grazed in the head by one bullet, then struck in the thigh by another, but even after these injuries used her body to shield that of a pregnant fellow soldier. She was struck once more, in the stomach, but is of good spirits, recovering in the hospital. Another soldier was struck twice in the waist and hip, but still helped guide many, many of his fellow soldiers to safety outside.
I personally hope that these soldiers are appropriately recognized with purple hearts and other awards appropriate to their bravery under fire, just as they would be in a combat zone. They displayed great personal courage in a situation where, lets face it, no one went there that day mentally preparing themselves, for something like this.
But I wasn't there. Someone who is close to an event is often granted extra credibility. Even if I strive not to imply it, people may infer it: "Porphy was there" or "Porphy knows people who Hasan treated, he knows that Major Hasan behaved inappropriately towards those under his care".
I don't really have any extra knowledge beyond that which you can get elsewhere. While it is often the case that people involved in an experience have greater knowledge of it, it is not always the case. Too often, I think, people trade on the credibility that is gained from being close to something, when they don't really know anything more (or less) than others can get.
Yes, blogging is often saying things other people are also saying. Few posts are truly unique, contain truly unique ideas or information, and I'm positive that in the future I'll babble about stuff that you could just as easily read elsewhere. In this particular case, though, I think I'll let others carry the water. A lot of things need to be said and thought about, and more power to those who are doing just that.
But I'm uncomfortable doing so, precisely because "I was there" without being there. I wasn't at the SRP site, and did not experience what those who were there experienced. I don't really have any additional information about Major Hasan and his behavior than is described elsewhere (I can say, though, that the experiences of the soldiers I'm acquainted with who were under his care, what little they told me supports rather than contradicts what you're hearing elsewhere. I guess I can go that far).
For me, a bit of reticence seems to be the responsible thing.
Memorial Day?
Do you mean Veterans Day?
No, he means Memorial Day. You may be too young to know what that means.