Fort Hood soldier wounded in 2009 attack starts run to Austin
An Army chief warrant officer wounded in the 2009 Fort Hood attack wants to honor the 13 soldiers killed and 32 wounded by completing an 80-mile run from the post in Killeen to the State Capitol.
CWO Christopher Royal suffered two shots in the lower back during the attack. After recovering, he vowed to never forget those who died or suffered injuries in the shooting.
Royal set off from Fort Hood yesterday and is expected to reach his destination Monday.
The soldier started training a few months ago by running 10 miles each day.
Last year, Chief Royal ran a 40-mile trek from his hometown in Alabama to the state's capitol building over a three-day period.
Although the pain in his back resurfaces from time to time, Royal says it simply serves as a reminder to him to keep going.
His non-profit group, 32 Still Standing, has a national $1 donation drive to help soldiers.