Seventeen years have passed since Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood, killing 13 people and wounding 31 others. For the families of three of the victims, the years since the 2009 attack have been defined by the values of their lost loved ones and the long wait for justice. Now, with the gunman's execution scheduled for December 3, these families are grappling with a mix of relief, finality, and lingering questions about how the event will be handled.
Among the victims was retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Cahill, who served as a physician assistant at the base. His daughter, Keely Cahill Vanacker, recalls her father's dedication to helping others, often finding ways to help rural patients afford medication. She remembers his playful motto, 'It builds character, kid,' which he used to comfort her during difficult times. Vanacker noted that her father's final act of courage, charging at Hasan with a chair, reflected the character he instilled in his children.
Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger, another victim, had joined the Army in 2001 following the September 11 attacks. Her mother, Jeri Krueger, remembered her daughter's determination to serve and her work in mental health. Krueger noted that her daughter's final tattoo, which read 'All gave some. Some gave all. Sacrifice,' felt like a bad omen, suggesting Amy may have been prepared to not return from her upcoming deployment.
Staff Sgt. Justin DeCrow was also at Fort Hood preparing to deploy to Iraq. His wife, Marikay DeCrow, described him as a positive and supportive leader who valued his family deeply. They had known each other since childhood and had a daughter, Kylah, whom Justin could only see briefly due to his training and deployments. Marikay said that learning of the execution order brought her a sense of relief after waiting 17 years for justice.
On October 2, President Donald Trump approved Hasan's death sentence, and Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle directed that the execution be carried out by firing squad on December 3. This will be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first by firing squad since 1945. Hasan was convicted in 2013 on all 42 counts by a military jury that unanimously recommended the death penalty.
The method of execution has drawn some scrutiny, but Marikay DeCrow stated that the method matters less than the fact that Hasan will face the penalty. She expressed that the execution is necessary for her sense of justice, noting that Hasan destroyed their lives and prevented Justin from witnessing key moments with his daughter.
However, Vanacker and Jeri Krueger said they did not need the execution for personal closure, viewing Hasan as already gone in their minds. They raised concerns that the event might fulfill Hasan's desire to become a martyr. They also criticized the initial plan to livestream the execution, a proposal made by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, which the families learned about after the fact.
Krueger described the livestream plan as disrespectful, while Vanacker called it an 'obsession with barbaric optics' that put the execution in danger. She urged Congress to ban livestreamed military executions in the National Defense Authorization Act. President Trump later canceled the livestream plan via Truth Social, a move that Krueger said she was grateful for.
The families plan to witness the execution on December 3. Marikay DeCrow stated that she is ready for it to be over, viewing the date as a final trip to Fort Hood for closure. Meanwhile, the families continue to honor their loved ones through annual events and remembrances, finding strength in the bonds they have formed with one another.
As November 5 approaches, the families will gather to remember their lost relatives. Vanacker acknowledged that the media attention and upcoming execution make the anniversary more emotionally challenging this year. Nevertheless, the three families have become a support network, united by their shared loss and the enduring legacy of their loved ones.
