The Battalion
tr 14,1!!
Wednesday, October 14,1992
Page 5
seni
^ Mills
isCiraj
Velcl
Rice'U
Meeli*
For nw*
0.
TS WF
Ns »6t k
onsFirf
■RCintf
HIP: J> r
iselin9« il
I Famifc
7:30 F
nfons#
Hie Slid)
502
all Eric i‘
MITTEt
weeke®
i4 R#
e inW*
l2Rud«e :
nalion0*
Kii i ffn Massacre: One Year Later
Survivors look back on worst shooting in U.S.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KILLEEN — John Marr can still see the
bodies.
Now associate manager of Luby's in
Killeen, Marr points to the front interior of
the newly remodeled store.
"There was a woman at a table up there,
still sitting, dead," says Marr.
His meter changes little while retelling the
story of the nation's worst mass shooting,
matching the calm rhythm adopted by other
survivors. It is quick and even, with few
stopping places.
Their lives changed one year ago on Oct.
16, 1991, when George Hennard smashed his
pickup through the cafeteria's front and
emptied a Clock 9mm into the lives of 162
people.
"There are a couple of faces you don't see
anymore and you miss them," continues
Marr, 29, speaking of both the 23 dead and a
few former regular customers of the popular
lunchtime retreat.
But in Killeen, where half of the town's
residents are military personnel, Marr knows
there will always be newcomers and for
Killeen's residents, there is always hope.
There are no new answers to the puzzle
behind the ex-merchant seaman who veered
his truck from the Texas 190 access road and
charged through glass and brick.
Hennard's reasons are buried with him.
His house in Belton has been sold and his
parents are unreachable.
This Friday, church bells will ring at noon
and Luby's will close down in the afternoon.
An evening candlelight ceremony organized
by a core group of survivors will be held to
mark what many refer to as only "the inci
dent."
Some, like 71-year-old Hazel Holley sneer
at such a euphemism.
"An incident is what happens everyday,"
says Holley, who broke her arm escaping
from Luby's through a broken window that
day. "This was a massacre."
Despite her strong feelings about the
shooting, Holley, who refuses to say Hen
nard's name, says she feel no ire against Hen
nard.
"I have never felt any anger toward that
man, only pity. My sympathy goes to his
family," she says.
Marr is not as charitable.
"I'm glad he's dead,” Marr said calmly. "I
tend to think people get what they deserve
and he got what he deserved."
The replays of the day have decreased in
the mind of chiropractor Suzanna Gratia,
whose father A1 was gunned down as he
tried to stop Hennard. Gratia's mother Ursu
la, whom she thought was with her as she es
caped through the back door, was found lat
er next to her father.
"I had a real hard time right at first," Gra
tia said, "because I wondered had I spent
five more seconds could I have gotten my
Mom out. Well as it turned out, and what the
cops told me later, I guess she didn't want to
"People don't realize that that
many people die in a week in
Houston and nobody bats an
eye. I think people learned
about resilience. Little kids
were giving money. People
came out of the woodwork to
try to help."
- John Marr, Luby's manager in
Killeen
get out."
When Hennard closed in, Ursula Gratia,
who crawled to her husband, raised her
head, looked at the gunman, bowed it again
and was shot pointblank in the skull.
But Gratia, whose gun was in her car
parked at Luby's that day, says today she is
busy and coming to terms with what oc
curred that day.
"It's very easy for me to get very angry at
myself for not having a gun with me," said
Gratia. "But I also know that you can drive
yourself nuts with that."
The remaining witnesses are surprisingly
patient with friends and strangers, after a
year of being asked to recite their tales.
"I've done a lot of talking," said Sam
Wink, 48, a Killeen Independent School Dis
trict employee who was lunching with six
others when Hennard's truck stopped about
eight feet in front of them. "I've tried to put it
behind me. I just want to go on with my life."
And what many want most is for outsiders
to hear the story of how Killeen, came togeth
er.
"People don't realize that that many peo
ple die in a week in Houston and nobody
bats an eye," said Marr. "I think people
learned about resilience. Little kids were giv
ing money. People came out of the wood
work to try to help."
Luby's billboard, "Good Food From Good
People" is the first to greet visitors to Killeen,
a town of 63,000 nestled against the shoulder
of Fort Hood, the nation's largest Army in
stallation.
Few people relocate voluntarily to Killeen.
Most retired here after duty turns at Fort
Hood or are divorced or widowed from
someone who was stationed at the base.
"When I got out of the service, I was too
poor to leave, so I stayed," jokes Wink.
As towns go, Austin — Killeen's neighbor
60 miles southeast — was the one that got the
looks. Killeen is flat and plain. Pawn shops,
car dealerships and fast-food restaurants
pepper the main downtown streets that stop
at Fort Hood's door.
But those who stay are very close.
"Killeen is a large town with a small town
atmosphere," said Wink, who was born in
Big Spring, grew up in Albany (Texas) and
came to Fort Hood with the Army. "People
come and go and come back again. You just
kind of like the atmosphere,"
Today, the window Hennard drove
through is gone. The dark brick exterior has
been repainted in cheerful eggshell. Inside,
the blood-soaked interior is a memory.
As the town braces for the renewed inter
est on the anniversary of the shooting, many
long for Hennard's ghost to release its grip
off of Killeen.
In the meantime, they will continue to
watch as morbid tourists veer east of Inter
state 30 for nothing more than a snapshot of
Luby's.
"We have to laugh,"Marr says. "What else
can we do?"
Foot soldiers to get new computer
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — A Houston com
puter company is beginning work
on a prototype portable computer
designed to bring the low-tech
foot soldier into the high-tech age.
Texas Microsystems, Inc. said
Tuesday it hoped the pocket-size
prototype, dubbed the "Soldier's
Computer," would be complete
next fall with working units in the
field by 1995.
"It would replace typically a lot
of reference materials soldiers car
ry with them," said Bill Taylor,
the Annapolis, Md.-based region
al manager for the Houston com
pany. "We talked with a comman
der in the 82nd Airborne who car
ried pounds of books in his jacket
when he jumped into Panama and
flew into Saudi Arabia with
Desert Storm. Our goal in build
ing this is targeted at that type of
situation."
Texas Micro officials said the
first prototype would weigh two
to three pounds, be built to with
stand the pounding of the foot
Houston company to design portable,
pocket-size computer for U.S. military
soldier, have its own high-resolu
tion display and provide up to 24
hours of continuous battery life.
The evolution of software and
hardware technology should al
low the size of the computer to
much each of the computers
would cost when they get to the
field.
Texas Microsystems is handling
the project under a $500,000 con
tract from the Army's Communi-
"Hopefully it will provide a tremendous
amount of information, more than could be put
on paper. It's going to replace notes, checklists,
manuals, things like that."
- Bill Taylor, regional manager
shrink to about one pound and be
the size of a cigarette pack even
while it acquires greater power.
"Hopefully it will provide a
tremendous amount of informa
tion, more than could be put on
paper," Taylor said. "It's going to
replace notes, checklists, manuals,
things like that."
He said it's uncertain yet how
cations & Electronics Command.
Taylor said the company, which
specializes in building computers
for harsh environments like oil
field use, is spending at least that
much of its own money.
The firm hopes its experience
with the military applications can
be profitable in the civilian world.
"It's a whole new arena," Tay
lor said.
"There's a tremendous need for
a system like this out there, not
only in the military but also for
police, firemen, even doctors as a
handy reference. Civil engineers
could use it to have all the tables
and handbooks and everything
they carry around in back of their
car or truck. Everything could be
condensed."
Eventually, officials see the
computer as helping troops aim
weapons, provide better commu
nications, conduct training, main
tain equipment and administer
medical treatment.
The project was conceived
about two years ago. The Houston
firm won the Army contract over
more than a dozen other compa
nies.
"We won't be leaping from
low-tech to Robosoldier
overnight," Michael Stewart,
Texas Micro president, said. "But
the Soldier's Computer will be
come an important tactical tool for
the infantry as soon as it's de
ployed."
U.J0UE;
in 9 f0 [f
srsatE^
Fori#
25.
TO#
ji. in ^
jark#
15 RD^
iitions
1142 S'*
iore
Eieptf 1
in lo
lyOcttW'
Rachel s
♦♦
£
♦♦
♦♦
♦♦
FEES ]
TT
JTL
[MEN
GET YOUR PICTURE
TAKEN FOR THE
jeting**
TnewP*
imein^
nation»
; inform
NOW!!!
WHEN: MONDAY - FRIDAY ji
9:00am - 5:00pm ji
sirt#'
jonaWf!
WHERE: AR PHOTOGRAPHY |
707 TEXAS AYE. ;
NEXT TO TACO CABANA E
obhsi
P i5S s
ofitw-.
S 0° .
Tiered
QUESTIONS?
CALL 845-2682
The Texas A&.M University
Student Publications Board
is accepting applications for
Editor, The Battalion
Spring 1993
The spring editor will serve from January 11, 1993, through
May 7, 1993.
Qualifications for editor of The Battalion are:
2.0 overall and major GPR at the time of taking office and during the
term of office;
At least one year experience in a responsible editorial position on The
Battalion or comparable student newspaper,
OR
At least one year editorial experience on a commercial newspaper,
OR
At least 12 hours journalism, including JOUR 203 and 303 (Media
Writing I and II) or equivalent. The 12 hours must include completion
of or enrollment in JOUR 301 (Mass Comm Law) or equivalent.
Application forms should be picked up and returned to the
Student Publications Manager's office, room 230 Reed
McDonald Building. Deadline for submitting application: 5
p.m. Thursday, October 29, 1992. Applicants will be inter
viewed during the Student Publications Board Meeting be
ginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 1992, in room
301A Reed McDonald.
Tingle vision) (t)2S |D28 & * ound1
• Hundreds of frames at
these prices *
Clear plastic lenses
Open to Public
fopticoil
l TnariJ
College Station
^ , r. . . . 900 Harvey Road
Dr s Rx or lens duplicated (2 biks. w. of
Call 693-5358 for more details Post oak Mall)
Jeree Vercher's
Silver Station
Is At Home In Post Oak Mall
Meet Us at the Fountain!
Southwestern Gifts dr Jewelry
Turquoise • Sterling Silver Charms
10% off Chains & Texas A&M Jewelry through October
f Ulcer Studies 1
Do you have stomach pain? indigestion? Heartburn?
Perhaps we could help! If you have an ulcer (duodenal or gastric) and
participate in this pharmaceutical company-sponsored clinical research
trial, you will receive free medical treatment, the chance of healing your
ulcer, up to $700 and the satisfaction of contributing to a nationwide ulcer
trial. If you or someone you know might benefitfrom these studies, contact:
Tonsillitis Study
Individuals at least 13 years old needed to participate in a sore throat
(strep throat, tonsillitis) research study involving an investigational oral
antibiotic in capsule form. $100 incentive paid to those chosen to
participate upon completion of the study.
Asthma Study
Individuals, age 18-55, with asthma wanted to participate in a clinical
research study for approximately 9 weeks with an investigational
medication in capsule form. Individuals must be using inhaled steroid
medication to qualify. $300 incentive paid to those completing the study.
Tension Headache?
Individuals with severe Tension Headaches wanted to participate in a
4-hour headache relief research study with an investigational medica
tion in tablet form. Flexible hours. $75 incentive for individuals who are
chosen and complete the study. Daily, till 6:30, call 776-0400.
ADULT SKIN INFECTION STUDY
Individuals age 13 and older wanted to participate in a research study
for bacterial skin infections such as infected wounds, earlobes, infected
burns, boils, infected hair follicles, impetigo, infected ingrown toenails
and others. Investigational oral antibiotic in capsule form. $100
incentive for those chosen who complete the study.
CHILDREN S SKIN INFECTION STUDY
Children, age six months to 12 years, wanted to participate in a research
study for bacterial skin infections such as: infected wounds, bug bites,
earlobes, burns, boils, hair follicles, ingrown toenails, impetigo and
others. Investigational oral antibiotic in liquid form. $150 incentive for
those chosen who complete the study.
Sinus Infection Study
Individuals age 13 and older with a sinus infection to participate in a clinical
research study for 3 to 5 weeks with an investigational antibiotic in capsule form.
Minimum incentive of $150 paid to those who complete the study.
— BioLogica
research group, inc.
776-0400
NUTRITION AND FITNESS SEMINAR
If you are trying to change your body, you should see a difference
every four weeks. If you don't, more than likely you are spending
wasted hours exercising and/or dieting. Whether you work in an office
or are a full time athlete, everyone reaches a plateau when trying to
lose fat or gain muscle, or both.
So what do you do?
There is only one alternative and that is to create a healthy lifestyle
which will enable you to obtain your ultimate fitness objective.
Neal Spruce, world renowned Nutrition Expert will arrive from Los
Angeles to conduct the seminar at Gold's Gym in College Station on
Thursday, October 15. Neal has appeared on several talk shows
including Jenny Jones and Good Morning America. He has written
articles for virtually every fitness magazine (including Shape, Flex, and
Muscle and Fitness) and has lectured all over the world. Neal currently
works with movie and T.V. celebrities, top fashion models, professional
athletes, and pro bodybuilders.
ABOUT THE SEMINAR
At the Nutrition and Fitness Seminar, you will receive all the
information you need to reach whatever goal you desire. The seminar
will provide factual information including:
1. How the human body works in response to nutrition and exercise.
2. How to gain muscle while losing body fat.
3. How to lose weight without rebounding.
4. Reasons why conventional diets fail.
Every workout should make a difference. However, a certain
knowledge of nutrition and exercise is required for each individual to be
able to continually make the desired alterations in appearance and
body composition.
Each person is unique in regards to age, weight, height, sex, activity
level, body composition (% fat, % muscle), rate of metabolism and rate
of oxidation. At the seminar you will receive all of the information that
you need to reach your personal fitness goals in the fastest way
possible. ALLOWING YOU TO SEE A CHANGE EVERY 3-4 WEEKS.
YOU WILL NEVER HIT ANOTHER PLATEAU!
Therefore, more than anywhere else in the world, you need to be at
this seminar.
DATE: Thursday, October 15
TIME: 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Gold's Gym
ADMISSION: $2.00 in advance
(thru 10/14/92)
$5.00 at the door
2408 A Texas Ave. S. (in the Kroger Shopping Center)
Please call for reservations, 764-8000