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Fort Knox evaluates security
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Fort Knox says it is always evaluating its security, especially after incidents like the one Thursday at Fort Hood.  On Friday, the post honored those who died or were otherwise involved in Texas.

That honor came with a moment of silence and prayer at 2:35 Friday afternoon, exactly 24 hours after the first reports of shots fired at Fort Hood.  The ceremony took place in part in what might be considered an appropriate location, given the circumstances.

It was at a new facility helping soldiers to cope with the stresses of war.  The timing of the dedication ceremony, however, was a coincidence, the day after the Fort Hood shootings.

One soldier recently transferred from Fort Hood awaits word 24 hours later about who died at his former post and who was hurt.  Maj. Matt McCullum says, "Really, right now it's just the sadness and shock at the tragedy and, really, our thoughts and prayers are going out."

And Maj. Gen. James "Mike" Milano, Ft. Knox Commander, points out, "The entire Army is stressed right now, and to the extent we can provide a service to those affected individuals is a great step in the right direction."

That step is a new behavioral health center.  The Army has spent more than $5 million for new offices, new inpatient and outpatient rooms, and almost doubling the staff to help soldiers adjust when they come home from war zones.

As Maj. Sarah Mason of the Behavioral Health Center points out, "It is hard to leave behind this adrenalin-filled lifestyle, and all of a sudden be here where everything seems flat by comparison.  And we have to help them transition.  A lot of them have trouble sleeping.  That's problably our biggest problem.

Other problems include substance abuse and other physical and mental ailments.  The hope at Fort Knox is that new digs and added staff for those problems will help reduce the stigma soldiers often feel about seeking help. 

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