GATESVILLE, Texas – The citizens of the “Spur Capital of Texas” opened their arms and hearts to Army Reserve Soldiers affected by the Nov. 5 Fort Hood shooting by hosting them for dinner at a local restaurant yesterday.

“It is absolutely wonderful to see all these folks together and to show our appreciation for what they do daily,” said Carla Manning, military affairs representative with the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce. “They sacrifice daily, and they’ve been through some rough days recently.”

The Soldiers are members of the 1908th and 467th Medical Detachments, Reserve units from Kansas and Wisconsin respectively, but including Soldiers from many other states. Both units are preparing for overseas deployments with training at North Fort Hood and had Soldiers at the site of the shooting on Nov. 5. Together, the units have fewer than 70 members and lost five Soldiers that day. Twenty-five other Soldiers suffered injuries ranging from mild to severe; eight of them were still hospitalized at the time of the dinner.

“Most of the time you see loss on the battlefield,” said Spc. Thomas Vecera, a mental health specialist with the 467th. “This incident just took everyone by surprise, but we were still able to pull together and be strong. [The dinner is] exactly what the Soldiers needed. Getting out like this is great. The community is great.”

The Army, said Gatesville Chamber of Commerce president Gail Shelton, is a very important and worthy partner with her community, which has a population of about 15,000 and is located just outside the North Fort Hood gate.

“Everybody has wanted to chip in in this community in any way to help these Soldiers in their time of need,” Shelton said.

Gatesville hosted the Soldiers at the Prima Pasta restaurant, which is owned by Jashar Hoti. “I don’t think we could ever do enough for the Soldiers, compared to the sacrifices they make for us and our country,” he said.

The meal provided a semblance of home to Soldiers away from their loved ones, said Staff Sgt. Nicolle Brossard, a mental health specialist with the 467th.

“I feel that few people genuinely get to experience [the love that has been given to us] in their lifetimes,” Brossard said. “To have an outpouring from a community that cares for us … in this tragic incident … is just phenomenal. I am so appreciative for their kindness.”