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Wife of Ft. Hood victim leads fight for military recognition

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    Autumn Manning speaks out

  • Duration 4:27
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There's a new effort under way to give some recognition.

And get some benefits for the American troops killed and wounded in the deadly shooting at Fort Hood.

He accused gunman is major Nadal Hasan and he is now awaiting trial.

He's charged opening fire at the Fort Hood army base back in 2009.

Killing thirteen people -- wounding more than three dozen others all while screaming god is great in Arabic.

This is one of the lasting images from the tragedy.

The victims' coffins covered in flags.

On -- to Arlington national cemetery.

One of the wounded with staff sergeant John Manning who was shot six times.

He barely survived this attack.

He has two bullets still left inside of him.

Neither he nor any of those wounded or killed have been given combat status for the event and that means that they are not eligible for military honors like the purple heart.

And other related -- Despite their actions and sacrifice that horrific day instead the Obama administration insists on labeling this as domestic workplace violence.

Sergeant Manning's wife is fighting to change that.

-- -- -- Joins me now by phone out of thank you so much for being here with us and I know this become a real cause for you because as we sit and watch major Nadal Hasan on trial.

Collecting 6000 dollars a month because he's still on the federal pac payroll.

Your husband.

Is not getting the benefits that you believe he's entitled to because it they just will not they won't classify this as terrorism they say it's workplace violence your thoughts.

My thoughts aren't the ones the American people need to know -- that.

You know our administration.

Has.

Twice threatened to veto the purple heart -- on combat status my country forced -- people don't know that it's -- Bennett for two years.

And for this administration to always try to control the narrative and cover the fax -- -- these families a lot of soldiers sacrificing these these that they insist.

Is very shameful.

Why wouldn't they do that's what is I mean -- it you're not the only one who's objective -- we've had lawmakers from Joseph Lieberman.

An independent -- as many Republicans come out save.

This this is clearly terrorism the guy was conferring.

With a known terrorist before the attacks watch what is the reluctance as you understand it to to designated as terrorists.

I don't think this administration want to use the -- which is terrorism might just think that that's gonna make them look any worse may argue right now a lot of victims.

Felt even worse when I followed happening in Libya because we can -- and that was a feeling that we have.

You know I know that the president came -- he visited with many of the victims.

Of this tragedy you and your husband or your husband at least was not one of the ones who received a visit.

Did did pres Obama ever reach out to him in any other way out of did he call -- did he reach out to him in another way.

I know he did not matter fact.

A lot of soldiers that they had received presidential -- because -- at a different hospital my husband was.

Airlifted about sixty miles away in a different one so his sister has sent a letter to the White House.

Asking if we could receive a presidential -- and their response but the -- -- This says it will look into it and get back -- and three years later -- heard nothing.

Obama doesn't even want to talk about the November that the victims at all and that's just exactly disgraceful -- soldiers you know put their lives on the line you know.

You know as I was preparing for -- this segment today saw some outrage online about that because.

Is somebody pointed out that the president took time to call Sandra Fluke who had been criticized.

By a radio host for -- -- something she said but he didn't.

And he never called your husband a man who's been serving his country was shot six times.

By a guy conspiring with the terrorist.

You know is there any way of rectifying.

The larger picture here autumn which is to get this -- designated and gets combat status recognized here.

All of this administration need to do is call it terrorism and the DOD will follow that line.

I mean he's very find so -- executive orders like -- do just got to find one more immediately you could find in order for this.

He just -- -- knowledge Jack and let these soldiers.

Get this combat status combat especially when anything but those who died I definitely think that they're the purple heart.

Automatic thank you for being here thank you in your family for your service and all the best your husband -- thank you think.

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