One Man's Perspective: Heroism in a cowardly act

Approximately 300 soldiers were lined up to get vaccinations and have their eyes tested at a Soldier Readiness Center. Another group was readying to collect their college diplomas in a nearby building when the shots rang out.

That might not sound unusual because the scene of the shooting was a military base, but that perception is mistaken. U.S. soldiers don't carry weapons at Fort Hood unless they're involved in a training exercise or providing security.

So when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar!" -- an Arabic phrase for "God is great!" -- then began spraying bullets into random unarmed soldiers on the Texas base; America sat stunned again as terrorism reared its ugly head.

I know, I know - there's that unpleasant word, "terrorism" again. We don't like using it these days in our kinder, more gentle approach to the world; and I know President Obama said that Thursday's attack wasn't "a terrorist act" -- by Mr. President, I disagree.

According to Dictionary.com - a terrorist act is: "The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear."

Now perhaps you want to argue semantics regarding the use of the word, "civilian," but these soldiers are going about their daily routines, unarmed and defenseless, that makes them pretty much civilians to me, or at least close enough.

But call it what it is - it was the ultimate act of Jihad, screaming out "Allahu Akbar!" and then taking out the infidels.

To this point 13 are dead. It appears that the 30-plus that were wounded will recover, including Hasan who was originally reported dead, but is now on a ventilator and possibly paralyzed.

Karma's a weird thing. He's not scoring the gallery of virgins he was promised, instead he will have to spend his following days of martyrdom stuck in a wheel chair, regarded by those around him as the ultimate traitor.

And to this point we haven't even addressed all of his behaviors in recent months.

According to retired Col. Terry Lee who was interviewed on Fox News following the incident, a former colleague of Hasan, he had made "outlandish comments" claiming that Muslims had a right to rise up and attack Americans. Hasan was happy about the bombing at a recruitment center - suggesting "this is what Muslims should do."

According to an AP report, while at Walter Reed Hospital, he received a poor performance evaluation, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly. And while he was an intern, Hasan had some "difficulties" that required counseling and extra supervision, said Dr. Thomas Grieger, who was the training director at the time.

Lee asked, "Why was he transfered from Walter Reed Hospital to Fort Hood. Something happened at Walter Reed."

AP reported that at least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

My question remains, so with all of this anti-American behavior and commentary, why was he still allowed to wear the uniform of a United States soldier. And why did his behavior not warrant any kind of disciplinary action along the way?

So where is the heroism I mentioned. It was all around the chaos.

Still with the fear of danger present, soldiers raced to their fallen comrades. Not knowing if their own lives were safe, the soldiers did whatever possible to save the lives of their fellow soldiers. They stripped the clothes from their bodies in some cases to create makeshift bandages and tie off wounds.

At the same time, military police aided by security forces, sought out and stopped the killer.

Officer Kimberly Munley, who shot the gunman while taking a bullet herself, discharged four bullets into Hasan, stopping his killing spree. She and her partner were on the scene within minutes of the first shot.

Likewise, emergency responders raced to the scene, as they always do and began working on the injured - including Hasan - with little regard for their own personal safety.

That's what we've come to expect from our military and our emergency responders in this country, heroism in the face of danger.

While this day will be remembered for its horror, also remember the bravery exhibited by those faced with death from not only a coward, but even worse, a traitor to this country.