Sister Relieved About Purple Heart Honor For Brother
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM)- It took more than five years of petitioning, but on Friday the U.S. Army announced all victims of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting will receive Purple Hearts.
"When my phone starts blowing up and texts from friends, I know something has happened," said Leila Hunt Willingham, who lost her brother that day.
At 22-years-old, J.D. Hunt was shot and killed by an Army psychiatrist according to investigators.
Now, both the 13 killed and more than 30 wounded will receive the award.
U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh called the development, "an appropriate recognition of their service and sacrifice."
"Today is more about them and I'm glad that they're finally going to be taken care of the way that they deserve to be," said Hunt Willingham.
J.D. Hunt had already received the Meritorious Service Medal for helping protect personnel the day of the shooting. The Purple Heart to Hunt Willingham is one more incredible way to honor all of those who were there that day.
"Anytime there is any recognition for the men and women who fight for us, I'm very honored. I'm just honored to be related to a hero like my brother," said Hunt Willingham.
If her brother was still alive to receive the award, Hunt Willingham said he would be proud.
"He'd be happy that other people are taken care of," said Hunt Willingham. "I'm sure he would be proud because I know what he did that day was very heroic."
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)