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Local Army reservist can’t shake images of Fort Hood aftermath

Army Reserve Col. Kathy Platoni is greeted by her husband John Hutchinson Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Dayton International Airport upon her return from Fort Hood. Platoni was training for deployment to Afghanistan when three members of her unit and six others were killed during a shooting rampage.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Army Reserve Col. Kathy Platoni is greeted by her husband John Hutchinson Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Dayton International Airport upon her return from Fort Hood. Platoni was training for deployment to Afghanistan when three members of her unit and six others were killed during a shooting rampage.

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Col. Kathy Platoni gives a hug to Susan Young in front of fallen soldiers memorial before the start of the Memorial ceremony held at U.S. Army's III Corps headquarters in Fort Hood, Texas, on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Young an LVN was at the SRP Center and performed medical aid helping save several wounded soldiers shot during Thursday's shooting.

Photo by Rodolfo Gonzalez/ Austin American-Statesman via The New York Times Col. Kathy Platoni gives a hug to Susan Young in front of fallen soldiers memorial before the start of the Memorial ceremony held at U.S. Army's III Corps headquarters in Fort Hood, Texas, on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Young an LVN was at the SRP Center and performed medical aid helping save several wounded soldiers shot during Thursday's shooting.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Margo Rutledge Kissell, Staff Writer Updated 8:20 PM Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Army Reserve Col. Kathy Platoni of Beavercreek can’t shake the images of seeing her fellow soldiers die in the aftermath of the shooting rampage at Fort Hood.

“It’s probably the most difficult thing most of us have ever been through in our lives,” said Platoni, 57, a clinical psychologist who maintains a private practice in Centerville.

She is to arrive home Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 24, on leave for Thanksgiving.

Slated to deploy to Afghanistan in early December with the Madison, Wisc.-based 467th Medical Detachment, Combat Stress Control, Platoni arrived at the sprawling Texas military post the day before the Nov. 5 rampage. She knew five of the soldiers who were killed and several of the wounded.

The morning of the shootings, she had spent several hours in the readiness processing center where Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan is accused of later killing 13 people and wounding 30 others.

Platoni was in line in the nearby Soldier’s Dome about 1:30 p.m. when she heard people screaming that shots had been fired in the other building.

She shoved several soldiers out a back door and then saw people begin carrying in the wounded.

She was at the side of her friend, Capt. John Gaffaney, 56, who was bleeding from several gunshot wounds, when he died. In all, three people from her unit were killed and six others were injured. She also knew two others who died from her “sister” unit, the 1908th Medical Detachment in which she used to serve.

In the weeks since the tragedy, Platoni said she and fellow reservists have been “hanging together very tightly” and talking a lot about what happened.

On Saturday, she joined other soldiers in going through a formal behavioral health screening and interview to see how she’s coping. She hasn’t been called back for a second interview, which she views as a positive sign.

Platoni did not know Hasan but said he was assigned to deploy with her unit.

“You could come to the conclusion he targeted us,” she said.

Platoni said she and other reservists are committed to carrying out their upcoming mission despite the tragedy.

“Though Hasan wanted to stop this mission, he lost,” she said. “We are going forward.”

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Hi Kathy, There is a verse that discribes you, ISAIAH 6:8, "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Kathy, you routinely place yourself in harms way to help others. Even when home, you help us deal with things most people never have to. Thanks for your service to our County and Community. Your work is invaluable. Know that we are here for you too.
God Bless You,
Dayton SWAT

Dayton SWAT
10:09 PM, 11/25/2009

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Colonel Kathy Platoni is not only a neat lady, she is an American Patriot in the truest sense of the word! Our nation is very lucky indeed, to have her defending our wonderful country! Godspeed in Afghanistan; you will be in my prayers, Kathy!

Nancy Webb
1:27 PM, 11/25/2009

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God Bless you Col Platoni and thank you for your service.

Leslie
10:38 AM, 11/25/2009

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Col. Platoni is one of the bravest people around, male or female. Her continued service to our country is to be admired. Chin up, indeed; that's what she does and has done, time and again. Thank you, Col. Platoni, for helping your fellow soldiers at Fort Hood and for having the guts to continue serving and protecting your country.

astoria
9:30 AM, 11/25/2009

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Thank you Col Platoni for being there with them and all for all you serve everywhere(as you always do). The SW Ohio CISM Team is proud to call you our own also. Bless you in all you do for everyone. You are a very special person who is doing a great service to all. Be careful and know your team here is praying for you and our troops and look forward to your safe return home. We love you and are so proud of you.

Lee Jean
8:44 AM, 11/25/2009

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