Instead, THIS military psychiatrist died at Ft. Hood

[Joanie Baloney]

Just doesn't seem right. I wonder what would have happened if Maj. Hasan had spoken with someone like Capt. Gaffaney before his rage took over.

Longtime local worker died in rampage

Army Capt. John Gaffaney loved collecting baseball cards, reading military novels, restoring his 1965 Mustang and riding his Harley-Davidson. He worked hard at helping the elderly through his job in San Diego County's Adult Protective Services department. Above all else, he cared about his family and his flag.

Bound for Iraq with an Army Reserve unit at age 56, Gaffaney lost his life Thursday in the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, one day after he arrived there. His wife, Christine, received a military officer's grim knock on the door of their Serra Mesa home even before he reached foreign soil.

:snip:

Trained as a psychiatric nurse, Gaffaney also started work with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency 22 years ago. He spent most of his civilian career in Adult Protective Services, investigating cases of neglect or abuse of the elderly.

:snip:

Schmeding said Gaffaney focused on helping foreign-born seniors who wanted to return to their homelands.

:snip:

The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks made Gaffaney determined to serve again, said Schmeding, who is assistant deputy director for the county's office of Aging and Independence Services.

“He very much wanted to get back in the military after 9/11,” Schmeding said. “He felt he had something to offer.”

Three years ago, Gaffaney signed up for the Army Reserve, hoping to counsel soldiers who are dealing with the trauma of war. He was assigned to a medical detachment specializing in the treatment of combat stress. The Army called him to active duty earlier this year.

Gaffaney said goodbye to his friends at Adult Protective Services in mid-October.

“Everyone really respected his dedication and admired his decision to reactivate,” Schmeding said.

Gaffaney arrived at Fort Hood and was in the base's Soldier Readiness Center on Thursday taking care of some details before leaving for Iraq.

He died along with 11 other soldiers and one civilian during the killing spree of Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, authorities say. Hasan was also a combat stress counselor and, according to family members, was fiercely resisting orders to deploy to the war zone.

“It is difficult for us to think beyond our grief,” the Gaffaneys said in their statement. “We love him so very much and will miss him, always.”

Sad, sad story. May Capt. Gaffaney rest in peace.

-JB


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/07/longtime-sd-county-worker-died-in-rampage/

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. The families must be going through hell right now. :^(

[Joanie Baloney]

2. I'm sure

He sounds like such an awesome person. And the horrible irony of what he enjoyed doing - helping seniors relocate to their homelands. At least he leaves a proud legacy.

[Joanie Baloney]

3. Morning kick

I read it again and was hoping more people would see it. :)