Red Lion soldier who helped during Fort Hood shooting faces health challenges
Ryan Walton, 27, received a medal for his actions during the 2009 Fort Hood shooting.
By TED CZECH
Daily Record/Sunday News
UPDATED: 11/01/2013
Ryan Walton is pictured with his Meritorious Service Medal in October at his home in York Township. He had an image of the medal tattooed on his arm so he would always carry it with him. He says he doesn't want to forget the painful moments he witnessed because they are part of who he is now.Ryan Walton lies on the bed most of the day -- it's a single, hospital-issue, and barely big enough for his 6 foot, 5 inch frame. It's sandwiched between the couch and the stairs in his Red Lion townhouse.
(Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)
Three years ago, he stood on the dais at Fort Hood, Texas, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for running in when others ran out during the 2009 massacre, in which 13 people died and more than 30 were injured.
"It was very sad," he said. "But we all knew what we did and it was an honor to be there and receive it."
That day, he just happened to be driving through the fort when he came upon bloody victims who had fled as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire.
Walton, now 27, carried bodies out of the building, slinging them over his broad shoulders.
He started IVs in victims and advocated for the more seriously injured victims who were passed over by paramedics.
But before that day, he had already suffered injuries in Iraq and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I think, all in all, Nov. 5 is what ruined me," he said.
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Saturday, November 2, 2013
Fort Hood Massacre Hero Suffering
The trial seems to have settled the question about what the massacre at Fort Hood was all about. It was a terrorist act by one of their own. The murder admitted it. Leaving these soldiers and their families suffering is beyond wrong. What are the excuses now? When will the families finally see justice?
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I do understand where you're coming from. My husband was one of the wounded. He's paranoid about his surroundings, he can't sleep at night, and there's so much more. They told him he has a "Failure To Adjust Dissorder" not PTSD.... It's a hassle at time because his memories come and go, he has night terrors, he's been diagnosed with PTSD last year but they say it isn't work related. I would like to thank you for not turning away when wounded soldiers needed help. Wife a wounded soldier (retired).
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
DeleteKeep Fighting Forward 💪
DeleteI am sorry about how your husband is treated. Failure to adjust? Really? Seriously? How about the brass failing to adjust to over 40 years of research into what PTSD actually is?
ReplyDeleteThere are generals coming out and talking about their own "failure to adjust" but they call it what it is, PTSD.
If I can help in anyway, just email me at
woundedtimes@aol.com