East Texas Baptist University graduate Ralph Deffendall will be lending a hand to the victims and families of the Fort Hood shootings.

"The communities of Killeen and Fort Hood are mourning the loss of life and struggling with feelings of disbelief and shock" said Deffendall, a teacher at Killeen's Timber Ridge Elementary School. "I am thankful that no children were hurt, because there are many elementary schools that are on post."

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Each Killeen Independent School District campus is "adopted" by a group of soldiers from the base.

"The division that adopted our campus was especially hit hard," Deffendall said. "Of those killed, 11 soldiers were from the division."

He said students are coping well with the incident.

"The students were all aware of the events that took place, and were given the opportunity to discuss the event throughout the day," Deffendall said. "However, most did not have the overwhelming emotional response I expected.

"I personally had the opportunity to discuss it with a kindergarten class after the district and military-wide moment of silence. Many felt compelled to share how their parents got through the event safely."

He will band together with his coworkers to provide meals to the families of the 13 killed and 29 wounded in Thursday's attack.

Timber Ridge students will make cards.

"Our communities are pulling together as a show of solidarity and support as we try to make sense of a senseless act," he said. "We take comfort in the fact that God is in control." said Deffendall.

The Associated Press reported Sunday that Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the man suspected of carrying out the attack, was in critical but stable condition at a San Antonio Army hospital.

Contact Robyn Claridy: 903-927-5966 or rclaridy@marshallnewsmessenger.com.