VANESSA GUILLEN

We here at JohnKnoxVillage in Weslaco joined the nation in remembering our fallen on Memorial Day. Following wreath ceremony, we joined our nation in Taps Across America at exactly 3 p.m. in playing taps, remembering and honoring all those who gave their lives in defending our freedom and liberties. Some progressives quickly reacted to equate the Uvalde massacre to George Floyd’s death. We know how “trained” law enforcement personnel reacted to my question in a recent Texas mass school massacre. He got called out for “proposing big increase in public spending” and raising taxes on large corporations.

Months of repeated allegations of harassment, physical assault and retaliation levied by Army Sgt. Jewell Scott against officials on the Fort Hood Army base reached a boiling point this week, as Scott posted videos to her personal social media saying she feared for her life.

Military bases with a high risk for sexual assault, harassment and other such harmful behaviors often have leaders who don’t understand violence prevention, don’t make it a priority and focus more on their mission than on their people.

The battle for for compensation for military sexual assault survivors has made its way to the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

The battle for compensation for military sexual assault survivors has made its way to the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

Cecily Ann Aguilar has been indicted on 11 counts in relation to the death of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen at Fort Hood in April 2020.

A judge has denied a request to suppress the confession of a woman accused of helping kill and dismember Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found.

A federal bill was recently reintroduced, proposing sweeping changes to the way the military investigates sexual assault and harassment allegations. Texas lawmakers are urging Congress to make it law.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army said Friday that it has taken disciplinary action against 21 officers and non-commissioned officers at Fort Hood, Texas, in connection with death last year of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found. [San Marcos, TX] [Hays County news] News San Marcos News, San Marcos Record [Texas State]

The U.S. Army today confirmed for the first time that slain Spc. Vanessa Guillen was sexually harassed and further retaliated against at Fort Hood.

AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Army on Friday confirmed for the first time that slain Spc. Vanessa Guillen was sexually harassed and further retaliated against at Fort Hood, which her family in Houston has consistently alleged in their fight for criminal justice reform in the military.

The Army said Friday that it has now taken disciplinary action against 21 officers and non-commissioned officers at Fort Hood, Texas, in connection with death last year of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing for about two months before her remains were found.

Thursday marks the one year anniversary since 20-year-old Army specialist Vanessa Guillen was murdered on April 22, 2020.

Fort Sill is receiving additional help from the Army Criminal Investigative Division to investigate the claims.

Soldiers suspended after a female soldier's allegations that she was sexually assaulted, the Army post's commanding general said.

A mural honoring slain Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen was defaced again, according to a social media post from the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Military officials say soldiers at Fort Sill have been suspended from duty as the Army investigates another soldier's allegations that she was sexually assaulted.

(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)WASHINGTON – Lawmakers expressed frustration Tuesday with how slowly improvements are being made to criminal investigations at Fort Hood, Texas, where rates of violent crime and sexual assaults are particularly high. More than two dozen Fort Hood soldiers died in 2020, including in multiple homicides and suicides. The review also concluded that the Army CID was understaffed, overwhelmed and filled with inexperienced investigators. Elder Fernandes, who was missing for more than a week last year before he was found dead about 28 miles from Fort Hood. AdAs a result of the independent review and other investigations, the Army earlier this year took action against 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood.

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Defense announced general officer assignments on Wednesday, which will place the general who was in charge of Fort Hood when Vanessa Guillen disappeared in San Antonio. Maj. Gen. Scot L. Efflandt, formerly the special assistant to the commanding general at Fort Hood, has been reassigned to the same position at U.S. Army North, Joint Base San Antonio. An Army spokesperson said this was a temporary assignment for Efflandt while an internal investigation continues as a result of Guillen’s death. Lt. Gen. Pat White, the commanding general of Fort Hood during Guillen’s disappearance, will not face any administrative action. On July 6, 2020, Efflandt announced that the human remains found near the Leon River on June 30 were confirmed to be those of Vanessa Guillen.

The House Armed Services Subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Fort Hood 2020: The Findings and Recommendations of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee” on Wednesday afternoon. The hearing takes place a day after the Army said it has fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood following a pattern of violence. Witnesses will include members of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee, according to CNN. He also ordered a separate probe into staffing and procedures at the base's Criminal Investigation Command unit, which is responsible for investigating crimes on Fort Hood. Read more: 14 Fort Hood soldiers fired, suspended over violence at base

WASHINGTON – Army leaders are firing or suspending 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, and ordering policy changes to address chronic leadership failures at the base that fostered a widespread pattern of violence including murder, sexual assaults and harassment. Two general officers are among those being removed from their jobs, as top Army leaders on Tuesday announced the findings of an independent panel’s investigation into problems at the Texas base. The actions, taken by Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, come in the aftermath of a year that saw 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood die due to suicide, homicide or accidents, including the bludgeoning death of Spc. The administrative actions are expected to trigger investigations that could lead to a wide range of punishments. The base commander, Army Lt. Gen. Pat White, will not face any administrative action.

The Army says it has fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, and ordered policy changes to address chronic leadership failures at the base that contributed to a widespread pattern of violence including murder, sexual assaults and harassment. He also ordered a separate probe into staffing and procedures at the base's Criminal Investigation Command unit, which is responsible for investigating crimes on Fort Hood. Mejhor Morta was found near a reservoir by Fort Hood. The five-member panel spent three weeks at Fort Hood and conducted more than 2,500 interviews, including 647 in person. Fort Hood, he said, has the highest rate of positive drug tests in the Army.

Update (12:45 p.m.): The family of slain Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen and their attorney will hold a news conference on Tuesday afternoon following the release of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee’s report. The Guillen family and their attorney will speak out following two briefings from Army leaders and Fort Hood officials, who earlier announced 14 Fort Hood soldiers have been fired or suspended over violence at the base. The news conference is slated to begin at 12:15 p.m. in Fort Hood and it will be livestreamed in this article. Read more: 14 Fort Hood soldiers fired, suspended over violence at baseOriginal: Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and other senior Army leaders are expected to announce the results of a review of Fort Hood following the death of Spc. Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston will brief the media on the Fort Hood independent review at 11 a.m.

McCarthy and other senior Army leaders are expected to announce the results of the review on Tuesday. Officials say they expect that Army Lt. Gen. Pat White, the base commander, will not face any administrative action. Army leaders have already delayed Efflandt's planned transfer to Fort Bliss, where he was slated to take over leadership of the 1st Armored Division. In a recent video message on Twitter, McCarthy said he had reviewed the findings of the independent commission he sent to assess the command climate at Fort Hood. All together, so far this year, 25 soldiers assigned to Fort Hood have died due to suicide, homicide or accidents, compared with 32 last year and 24 in 2018.

FILE - In this July 30, 2020, file photo, supporters of the family of slain Army Spc. The death of Guillen, who was slain by a fellow soldier at the Texas Army base where they both worked, has been classified as "in the line of duty," according to a report by U.S. Army officials. Vanessa Guillén, 20, was conducting her assigned duties at Fort Hood when a fellow soldier killed her in April, according to results of a report the Army announced Tuesday. According to the Army's report, Guillén “died by homicide” at 11 a.m. on April 22. The "I Am Vanessa Guillen Act,” introduced in Congress in September, would remove decisions on whether to prosecute members of the military for sexual assault or sexual harassment from the military chain of command.

The 9@9: Stimulus bill vote; Obama hits campaign trail; Vanessa Guillen's deathPublished: October 21, 2020, 9:58 amThe 9@9 features some of the biggest stories making headlines at home, around the country and across the globe. Here’s what’s trending

FORT HOOD, Texas – Fort Hood officials on Tuesday told the family of Vanessa Guillen, the U.S. Army specialist killed by another soldier in an armory at Fort Hood, that an investigation into her killing concluded she died “in the line of duty.”Officials announced Guillen’s family is entitled to a wide range of benefits for Guillen’s service to the country. Fort Hood officials said that a line of duty determination is conducted for all soldier deaths. “This determination establishes that the Guillen family is entitled to a variety of Army benefits for Vanessa’s service to our nation,” Fort Hood officials said in a news release. Fort Hood officials say they will remain in contact with the Guillen family to keep them informed of additional actions taking place at Fort Hood and what policies are being revised to prevent a similar incident. More stories related to Vanessa Guillen’s disappearance:

click image Facebook / The Pink BeretsBeauty brand L’Oréal Paris has named San Antonian Stephanie Gattas, founder of veterans-aid group The Pink Berets , as a 2020 Woman of Worth honoree.Gattas' Boerne-based nonprofit advocates for mental health awareness for female members of the U.S. armed services. Following the slaying of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen, the group has been at the forefront of a nationwide call for changes in the way the military handles sexual trauma cases.“Being a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth affords me the opportunity to be a global agent of change to empower the younger generation of women veterans,” Gattas said in an email to the. “I envision a world were women feel seen, heard and honored for their contributions to their country.”The title comes with a check for $10,000.Gattas also stands to gain an additional $25,000 for her cause, but she’ll need the public’s help to pull in that extra money. Those interested in helping her win the additional cash can register at the Women of Worth website to vote for he once a day, now through November 27.This year's 10 honorees will also be profiled in an hour-long NBC special airing nationwide on Wednesday, November 25, at 8 p.m."This year has given us a greater appreciation and respect for those who dedicate their lives to serving their communities,” L'Oréal Paris USA President Ali Goldstein said in a release. “That's why it's more important than ever ... to shine a spotlight on the tenacity and courage of women who are tackling injustice and channeling painful experiences into something truly beautiful and worthy.”

Members of Congress launched an investigation of Fort Hood in September after Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found dead on Aug. 25 hanging from a tree in Temple, Texas, months after reporting sexual harassment. A Fort Hood officer went with his wife to their apartment during one altercation after Buxton called for help. A Fort Hood spokesperson said they had no information on this allegation. “How many more must die at Fort Hood for them to be held accountable?” Lupe Guillen said.

HOUSTON, Texas – Family members, friends and supporters celebrated the life of slain Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen with a march. Five months after Guillen’s death, family members say they are still waiting for justice. Just weeks later, her remains were found in a shallow grave 20 miles east of Fort Hood. One of the suspects in Guillen’s murder fatally shot himself after being identified by law enforcement officials. The other suspect is in custody and charged in connection with Guillen’s disappearance.

A mural honoring slain Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen was vandalized just hours after her birthday, according to a social media post from the League of United Latin American Citizens. The non-profit organization posted a video on Facebook Friday, showing a vandal defacing the mural overnight, in hopes that it will help lead to an arrest. The public memorial site was created by the community to honor and remember Specialist Guillen. We ask that we collectively take care of the mural as we honor our service members who live in that silent combat,” she added. We ask that we collectively take care of the mural as we honor our service members who live in that silent combat.”Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood on April 22.

SAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County grand jury has indicted a 48-year-old San Antonio man in connection with making a threat on social media to carry out a shooting at Fort Hood. Mario Eloy Pena was indicted on a charge of felony terroristic threat. According to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Pena posted on social media on July 30 that he was going to be an active shooter at Fort Hood, with the intent to influence the conduct or activities of the United States Army. San Antonio police said that Pena’s threat was in retaliation for the death of Spc. “It was stated that [Pena] made [a] threat through Facebook social media [that] he is upset and wanted to retaliate for Vanessa Guillen’s murder in Fort Hood Base.

Reps. Jackie Speier, a Democrat from California, and Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said their bill would make sexual harassment a crime within the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The bill is named I Am Vanessa Guillen after the hashtag that was used by military sexual assault survivors to denounce their experiences on social media when Spc. According to Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillen family, Guillen told her mother that a soldier of a higher rank walked in and watched her while she was showering. A coalition of military sexual assault survivors along with Democratic and Republican members of Congress joined Speier, Mullin, the Guillen family and Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillen family, to present the bill at the U.S. Capitol. Officials said they had evidence that Guillen did face other kinds of harassment by other people at the Central Texas base.

FORT HOOD, Texas – A bill named for slain Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillen that would change how the military responds to missing service members and make sexual harassment a crime in the military is officially being introduced in Washington, DC on Wednesday. A different set of eyes.”According to an update on the Find Vanessa Guillen Facebook page, the “I Am Vanessa Guillen” bill will be introduced Wednesday. “The bill responds to resounding calls for change by revolutionizing the military’s response to missing service members and reports of sexual harassment-assault by making sexual harassment a crime within the uniform code of military justice and moving prosecution decisions of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases out of the chain of command,” one post reads. Demand Justice For Vanessa Guillén Tomorrow, Wednesday September 16 will be the... Posted by Find Vanessa Guillen on Tuesday, September 15, 2020A gruesome affidavit previously release from the FBI details the investigation surrounding the death of specialist Guillen. A report from the El Paso Times states that Efflandt was removed from his post at Fort Hood on Sept. 1.

One NFL player is honoring the legacy of slain Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen both on and off the field. Miami Dolphins' safety Eric Rowe will wear Guillen’s name on his helmet during Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. Guillen, 20, was an Army specialist stationed at Fort Hood who disappeared in April. Many Texans have honored Guillen’s memory since her disappearance, and earlier this month, a mural of Guillen was unveiled in San Antonio. This year will be Rowe’s sixth season with the NFL, two of which he’s played for the Miami Dolphins, according to the team’s website.

AUSTIN, Texas Congress will launch an investigation into sexual assault, disappearances, deaths and the leaderships response at Fort Hood after 28 soldiers stationed at the U.S. Army base in Texas died this year, two subcommittee leaders announced Tuesday. The members of Congress cited the deaths of Spc. Vanessa Guillen, who according to federal officials was bludgeoned to death at the Texas base in April by a fellow soldier, and Pvt. Natalie Khawam, who represents the Guillen family, said she is thankful Congress has agreed to their demands to investigate. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Two congressional subcommittees are investigating the leadership at Fort Hood following a series of deaths and instances of sexual abuse and harassment. The soldier suspected of killing Guillen, Spc. Guillen was the victim of sexual harassment, her sister said, but she didnt report the sexual harassment out of fear of retaliation. Gregory Wedel-Morales, a private at Fort Hood whose body was found in June, nearly a year after he went missing in August 2019. Between 2014 and 2019, an average of 129 felonies were committed annually at Fort Hood, including murder, kidnapping and sexual assault, according to the letter.

SAN ANTONIO Organizers have worked over the past several weeks on a mural dedicated to honor slain Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen. Guillen, the late U.S. Army Fort Hood soldier that was missing for several weeks, was found near the Leon River. The unveiling of the mural will be live on Facebook and you can watch it at this link here. Over the last few weeks, along with some amazing mujeres, weve been working on a beautiful mural dedicated to Vanesa Guillen, Que means what said in a Facebook post. The group wanted to do one thing: Honor Vanessa.

When asked during a call with journalists Tuesday whether Efflandt would still be going to Fort Bliss, Army officials said only that he would remain at Fort Hood for the remainder of the investigation into Fort Hood leadership. Army officials said in July that they have evidence she may have been harassed by others at the base but had no evidence on Robinson. The investigation will look at the response from Fort Hood leadership between the time Guillen went missing and when her body was found. Murray's investigation will be separate from the independent review of climate at Fort Hood. He was a deputy chief of staff with the U.S. Army Forces Command, not its commanding general.

Mourners gathered at Cesar Chavez High School in Houston, where Guillen grew up playing soccer and dreaming of joining the military. Standing in front of the casket, Guillen's grandmother shared a story about the chocolates she carried in her purse. Guests included U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX) and friends of the Guillen family. Guillen's remains will be laid to rest after a private ceremony Saturday. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy ordered an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood following Guillen's slaying.

HOUSTON Mourners will gather Friday in Houston to honor the life of a slain Texas soldier whose story has renewed a push for changes in the way the military handles sexual abuse and harassment from Fort Hood to Capitol Hill. Vannessa Guillen's family scheduled the memorial for noon to 8 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez High School, on a field where Guillen once played soccer as a high school athlete. Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood, where she was stationed, on April 22, and Army officials confirmed July 6 that her remains had been found. Guillens family has said she was sexually harassed by the fellow solider suspected of killing her, but the Army has said there is no evidence of that. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy ordered an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood following Guillen's slaying.

HOUSTON A memorial for a slain Texas soldier has been scheduled more than three months after she was killed by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood, an attorney for the family announced Tuesday. The service is set for Friday at the same field on which Vanessa Guillen once played soccer as a high school athlete, Guillen family attorney Natalie Khawam said in a news release. The Catholic service will run from noon to 8 p.m. at Cesar E. Chavez High School in Houston. Guillen disappeared from Fort Hood on April 22, and Army officials confirmed July 6 that her remains had been found. Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy ordered an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood following Guillens slaying.

Fort Hood soldier drowns; 4th from base dead in monthsThe body of Spc. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, 24, was recovered Sunday after he went underwater while being pulled on an inner tube behind a motorboat on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, according to Fort Hood officials. According to a federal complaint, she was bludgeoned to death at the base by a fellow Fort Hood soldier, Army Spc. Following that case that has received national attention, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Thursday that he ordered an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood. On June 21, officials authorities discovered skeletal remains in a field in Killeen, near Fort Hood, which were subsequently identified as 24-year-old missing soldier Gregory Morales.

AUSTIN, Texas – Fort Hood has one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault and harassment in the Army, Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Thursday during a visit to the Texas base. He noted her death has become catalyst for the Army in highlighting issues of sexual harassment and assault in the military. Investigators say Guillen, 20, was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by Spc. He said investigators will be conducting a full independent review to understand why Fort Hood has seen a rise in felonies and violent crimes. McCarthy also announced the Army would be rolling out an initiative called Project Inclusion to address “behaviors that tear at the fabric of our force.” He said these included diversity, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and suicide.

Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy will visit Fort Hood on Thursday to meet with local civilian and military leadership amid scrutiny in the death of soldier Vanessa Guillen. Fort Hood has received national attention this summer due to the deaths of four soldiers. According to a federal complaint, she was bludgeoned to death at the base by a fellow Fort Hood soldier who later killed himself. McCarthy on July 10 ordered a review of the command climate at Fort Hood. Fort Hood soldier drowns; 4th from base dead in monthsOn June 21, officials authorities discovered skeletal remains in a field in Killeen, near Fort Hood, which were subsequently identified as 24-year-old missing soldier Gregory Morales.

BELTON, Texas U.S. Army officials said Tuesday that a Fort Hood soldier drowned at the same lake near the Texas base where another soldier's body was found last month. Francisco Gilberto Hernandezvargas, 24, was recovered Sunday after he went underwater while being pulled on an inner tube behind a motorboat on Stillhouse Hollow Lake, according to Fort Hood officials. Fort Hood officials say they are cooperating with local authorities. Trump says hell help with funeral costs for slain soldier Vanessa GuillenHernandezvargas is at least the fourth Fort Hood soldier whose body has been found in recent months. According to a federal complaint, the 20-year-old was bludgeoned to death at the base by a fellow Fort Hood soldier who later killed himself.

SAN ANTONIO EDITORS NOTE-- This video contains extended interviews and bonus footage created specifically for the KSAT-TV streaming app. From San Antonio to Washington D.C., some of our citys young activists are taking their voices to the nations capital. Reliable Revolutionaries is a civil rights group made up of several San Antonio organizations all after the same mission: justice for all. And I know that 80,000 people in San Antonio voted for Barack Obama the first time and they never voted again. These young activists are following in the footsteps of former U.S. Representative and civil rights activists John Lewis who passed away July 17.

SAN ANTONIO A man has been arrested after San Antonio police said he made a threat on social media to carry out a shooting at Fort Hood. Mario Eloy Pena, 48, has been charged with making a terroristic threat, a class B misdemeanor, according to Bexar County Jail records. They were alerted to the social media post on July 30, when Penas wife, who lives in California, contacted San Antonio police because she was concerned about the threats, according to the affidavit. It was stated that [Pena] made [a] threat through Facebook social media [that] he is upset and wanted to retaliate for Vanessa Guillens murder in Fort Hood Base. While officers were actively investigating the threats, Pena posted on Facebook F*ck SAC [sic] PD.

The legacy of Congressman John Lewis, the last of the civil rights icons, will live on across the country, including right here in San Antonio as local groups work to fight for voting rights. Were beginning to see the need to fight those battles again and thats most regrettable, said Dr. Gregory Hudspeth, the chair of the local NAACP chapter. The same type of battles that Hudspeth said he remembers his father took on in the 1950's and 1960's. We were able to honor his memory, honor his legacy by doing what he called, creating good trouble, Clark said. They are everybody who has decided that this is bigger than themselves and that they want to help.RELATED: Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis lies in state at Capitol

Gloria Guillen, the mother of slain Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen, meets with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington.

Vanessa Guillen, meets with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Washington. The truth will come out whether they like it or not, said Lupe Guillen, the younger sister of Vanessa Guillen, said ahead of the meeting with the president. John Wittman, a spokesperson for Abbott, said the governors office has not heard from the Guillen family but is prepared to help. Governor Abbott's heart aches for the Guillen family and he and the First Lady keep them in their prayers, Wittman said in a text message. And if I can help you out with the funeral, Ill help you out, financially, Ill help you, Trump said.

Three congresswomen joined about a dozen other women on Capitol Hill to demand systemic shifts in military culture. Vanessa Guillen, whose remains were found earlier this month following her disappearance in April from Fort Hood, a U.S. Army base in Texas. Guillens body was found in Bell County, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Fort Hood. Cecily Aguilar, a 22-year-old civilian from Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, has been arrested in connection to Guillens death. Army officials recently announced that it will begin a review of the command climate at Fort Hood following calls by members of Congress and community activists.

AUSTIN, Texas U.S. Army officials on Tuesday said that the body of a Fort Hood soldier was found near the Texas army base, marking the third time in a month that a Fort Hood soldiers body has been discovered. Mejhor Morta, 26, was found unresponsive July 17 in the vicinity of Stillhouse Hollow Lake, according to Fort Hood officials. Morta's awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Then on July 1, U.S. Army officials found more human remains, which were later identified as 20-year-old missing Fort Hood soldier Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, near the Leon River in Bell County, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of Fort Hood.

The death of a Fort Hood soldier the third in the span of a month is consistent with a drowning, according to a preliminary autopsy report. The Bell County Sheriffs Office on Wednesday stated a full autopsy report has not been finished or released by the medical examiners office in Dallas, but a preliminary autopsy report suggests Pvt. His awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Lawmakers call for military changes after Vanessa Guillens deathThe case of soldier Vanessa Guillen, 20 garnered national attention when she disappeared in April from Fort Hood. Another Fort Hood soldier, 24-year-old Gregory Morales disappeared in August.

FORT HOOD, Texas Fort Hood honored specialist Vanessa Guillen with a special service on Saturday, inside of the Spirit of Food Hood Chapel. Gloria Guillen, Vanessas mother, cried as she looked at her daughter, Vanessas, army photo. The familys Catholic priest was alongside her and later blessed the armory room, where investigators say Vanessa lost her life. Vanessas 16-year-old sister was also in attendance and spoke to attendees about her untimely death. Vanessa was a 20-year-old Army specialist stationed at Fort Hood who disappeared in April.

WACO, Texas – A 22-year-old woman accused of helping hide the body of slain Texas soldier Vanessa Guillen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges related to the crime. Cecily Aguilar of Killeen, near Fort Hood, entered the pleas Tuesday in federal court in Waco to three conspiracy charges in the death of Army Spc. Aguilar remains in the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas, while awaiting trial. Fort Hood Senior Commander, Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt said “to the victims of sexual harassment and assault, we hear you, we believe you and I encourage you to come forward. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

SAN ANTONIO More than 500 vehicles filled the parking lot of NISDs Athletic Complex on Saturday morning to honor the service and life of Fort Hood Army soldier, Vanessa Guillen. The event was a community effort that began about a week ago on a local Jeep clubs Facebook page. It originally started with just one simple question of, Who would be down to do a Jeep convoy in honor of Vanessa? Melissa Garca said. Garca prompted the question and expected about 30 Jeeps would participate in a convoy through San Antonio. She was encouraged to get involved after hearing the family of Guillen make a public plea.

Vanessa Guillen, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier. Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, is currently in custody at the Bell County Jail. The Army says the gun Robinson used was not issued by Fort Hood, but it's unclear where he got it. Army officials said 52 agents from multiple military and civilian law enforcement agencies have conducted more than 300 interviews investigating Guillen's killing. That has lasted for more than 170 days, and Army officials say that has led to forensic examinations of more than 50 phones.

Vanessa Guillen, who investigators say was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood by a fellow soldier. Aguilar, 22, of Killeen, Texas, near Fort Hood, is currently in custody at the Bell County Jail. The Army says the gun Robinson used was not issued by Fort Hood, but it's unclear where he got it. Army officials said 52 agents from multiple military and civilian law enforcement agencies have conducted more than 300 interviews investigating Guillen's killing. That has lasted for more than 170 days, and Army officials say that has led to forensic examinations of more than 50 phones.