One Utah Soldier Killed, One Wounded in Ft. Hood Massacre
A 19-year-old soldier from West Jordan was among those shot and killed by U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan at Ft. Hood in Texas Thursday. Aaron Thomas Nemelka, a graduate of West Jordan High, was a combat engineer and had volunteered to be part of a team that would disable roadside explosive devices in Afghanistan.
Aaron's parents, Michael and Teena Nemelka, said in a prepared statement issued through the U. S. Army that they were "so proud to have him serve our country in the military." The family said Aaron was a "kind and loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and favorite uncle." Dozens of American flags filled the family's yard on Friday as Aaron's family, friends and fellow soldiers streamed in and out of the house offering their condolences.
I'm personally acquainted with members of the Nemelka family, and I want to express my heartfelt sorrow at their loss. I'm sure I speak for many Utahns and other Americans when I say my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Another Utahn, Joey Foster, was shot in the hip but helped pull others to safety during the incident. Both soldiers were at Ft. Hood's Soldier Readiness Center when the shootings occurred.
Comments from Aaron Nemelka's uncle and fellow soldier, Michael Blades
Comments from President Obama, Vice President Biden and U.S. Army officials on the Ft. Hood tragedy
Profile of Aaron Nemelka, from the Austin American Statesman
Photo by Ben Sklar/Getty Images
Comments
By Friday evening, the family had decided it wanted to know how Nemelka lived, not just how he died. Blades was asked to face the world.
On Saturday morning, dressed in his Army fatigues, the broad-shouldered Army major stood before a row of television cameras, a single sheet of paper trembling in his hands.
“Aaron,” he began, “was a very happy kid.”
A soccer player. A bowler. A snowboarder. An avid fan of the Utah Utes. “He loved music,” Blades said. “Drums and the guitar.”
Nemelka was proud to be in the Army and “intensely proud to serve under the leadership of the president,” Blades said.
The young soldier didn’t like the divisions he saw in his nation. “First and foremost, he believed we are all Americans,” Blades said. “He did not like all the negativity.”
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13737472
I’m not sure why, but every account of this statement, which I just witnessed on CNN, has left out the part where he said “He loved and respected the President”.
Thank you to Aaron and his entire family for their sacrifice.