WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsLocal soldiers react to Ft. Hood tragedy

Local soldiers react to Ft. Hood tragedy

MADISON (WKOW) -- Two soldiers from the Madison-based 467th medical detachment were killed in Thursday's military massacre at Ft. Hood in Texas. Now members of the unit back in Madison are trying to cope with their loss.

The 467th is a combat stress unit aimed at helping soldiers deal with situations much like the Ft. Hood shootings. But with two of their own murdered at Ft. Hood, those who normally help others cope with trauma now need help coping themselves.

Sgt. Kara Hurtig first learned about the shootings through a text message from her husband.

"He said that he was caught in the middle of a fire fight -- a mass massacre -- and that the shooter was still on the loose," said Hurtig. "About 15 minutes later, I got another text message and he just said, 'I can't talk right now, I just want to let you know I love you and that we're not okay.'"

Hurtig's husband survived the shootings unharmed, but Hurtig is dealing with a variety of emotions. She was supposed to be at Ft. Hood, as well, but health problems kept her in Madison.

"Initially, you feel a sense of relief... you're happy that you weren't there. But then it comes down on you and you realize that those are your fellow soldiers that went down, and you feel a sense of 'I should have been there,' and maybe there was something I could have done," said Hurtig.

"This shouldn't happen on our soil," said an exasperated Cpt. Robert LaFountain, captain of the rear detachment in the 467th. "They were in a training area, they weren't in a war zone, so we are angry, upset, frustrated and confused. When we walk around and see the flag at half-staff, generally we know it's for a dignitary or a fallen soldier. But this is our fallen soldiers. It hits home and it's hard."

It's difficult for anyone to make sense of something so unexpected and tragic. Soldiers say the best way for them to deal with it is to focus on their next mission.

"We're going to heal our wounds and we're going to keep doing what we're doing, which for the 467th is taking care of the other soldiers," said Cpt. Corey Schultz, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Army. "So we're taking care of them so they can continue to take care of others."

With her medical problems resolved, Hurtig is determined to join her unit, and her husband, at Ft. Hood as soon as possible.

"I want to help my unit. I know I'm supposed to be there with them," said Hurtig. "We just have to drive on. We have to complete the mission and, you know, we get up every day and put the uniform on and that's what we do."

The Army has a number of services that offer counseling for anyone who is struggling with the Ft. Hood murders.

You can call its Military One Source hotline at 1-800-342-9647 or contact the Madison Veterans Center.

Follow Jamie Hersch on Twitter