STANLY COUNTY, NC — Major Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and injured 32 others at Fort Hood Army Base in 2009. Β One of the survivors of that attack lives in Stanly County. Β He and his family told WCCB about that tragedy, and what it’s like to live with the scars.
“I found out. Β I was basically in shock,” said 2009 Fort Hood survivor Matthew Cooke. Β He knows what it feels like. Β He was there at Fort Hood in 2009, watching an officer get shot, then putting himself in harm’s way. Β “I tackled him,” he said, Β “I put my body in front of him to prevent further harm, or further injury towards him. Β At that time, I took five shots.”
For Cooke’s mother and stepfather, Wednesday’s shooting in Texas brought back a flood of tough memories. Β Especially the uncertainty. Β “Nobody called us,” said Cooke’s stepfather Jerry Frappier. Β “So we waited until 9:30 the next morning to even find out he was still alive. Β And my head went there.”
Matthew is still dealing with scars, both inside and out. Β He’s also battling PTSD. Β “When you hold it in,” he said, “you hold in the anger. Β You hold in the anxiety. Β It all builds up.”
The road ahead is a long one, made even tougher by another senseless shooting. Β “You have counseling. Β You have a therapist. Β But most of it’s just family getting around. Β It just takes a lot of time.”
“We have to protect those that are protecting us,” said Matthew’s mother Diane Frappier. Β “We have got to protect our military.”
The 2009 shootings were classified as workplace violence, instead of combat, so Cooke is fighting to get the benefits and recognition he and the other victims feel they deserve.
