Funeral services were held in Texas on Monday for a former Montana resident who was killed in the mass shooting at Fort Hood.
More than 500 people turned out to remember 62-year old Michael Cahill in Cameron, Texas.
Cahill Joined the Army in 1968 and served in the National Guard from 1970 to 1996, spending time in Montana, Texas, Oregon and Washington.
He was a physician's assistant at Fort Hood, but also worked across Montana, including Billings and Havre.
His family was presented with the American Flag following a 21-gun salute during Monday's ceremony. Cahill's body will be cremated, and his family plans to bring his remains to Billings next spring.
(from November 9, 2009) Michael Cahill, the Montana National Guard veteran who was killed last week in the Fort Hood shootings, was honored by President Obama at a memorial service on Tuesday.
During the event at the nation's largest military installation, President Obama spoke about each of the 13 people who were killed, starting with Cahill.
The President said, "Chief Warrant Officer Michael Cahill had served in the National Guard and had worked as a physician's assistant for decades. Husband and father of three, he was so committed to his patients that on the day he died, he was back at work just weeks after having had a heart attack."
Cahill spent more than 15 years in the Montana National Guard. His wife is from Roundup and the couple had planned to retire in that area.
Obama also took note of the significance of tomorrow, saying, "Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a chance to pause, and to pay tribute – for students to learn of the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union."
Click here to read the full text of the President's address.
(November 9, 2009) A former member of the Montana National Guard is among the 13 killed in last week's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.
Michael Cahill was a physician's assistant who once worked at hospitals in Great Falls and Boulder, and also at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Billings.
The shooting rampage on Thursday shook the country, and on Sunday we learned that it has affected some residents of Roundup.
Cahill was the only civilian killed in the shooting; his wife Joleen Cahill grew up in Roundup, and her family still resides there. Joleen's niece, Terri Murphy, told us that the family is in shock over this tragedy.
Authorities say that Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a psychiatrist, opened fire on Thursday at the Soldier Readiness Processing Center, killing 13 people and injuring at least 29.
Cahill's sister, Marilyn Attebery, says the 62-year-old Cahill was working as a physician's assistant for the U.S. Army Reserve. He was giving physicals to soldiers who were getting ready to deploy when the shooting happened.
Attebery says her brother suffered a heart attack less than a month ago, underwent heart surgery, and returned after one week of recovery because he wanted to get back to work.
Terri told us that at this point her aunt does not have many details about what happened because he was the only civilian killed. Meanwhile, her aunt Joleen is trying to plan a funeral and is waiting for his body to be shipped from Maryland.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway and security is tight at Fort Hood for Tuesday's memorial service.
President Obama is scheduled to attend to honor the 13 people killed and dozens wounded in last week's rampage. He will also meet with the families of those killed.
The man blamed in the attack, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, was also injured, and hospital officials say he is now breathing on his own and able to speak.
Investigators say there is no indication Hasan was directed to attack or had any help and officials say that he will be tried in a military court.
