Nov 7, 2009 11:07 am US/Eastern
Fort Hood Commander Has New Hampshire Roots
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ) ―
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Lt. Gen. Robert Cone speaks during a press conference near the main entrance to Fort Hood on November 5, 2009.
Ben Sklar/Getty Images
Nearly 2,000 miles from the chaos in Texas, a New Hampshire family is watching coverage of the shooting at Fort Hood from a much different perspective.
The commanding officer at the army base is from Manchester, and his family watched as he stepped before the cameras to tell the nation what happened this week.
Lt. General Robert Cone is a 1975 Manchester Memorial High School graduate, and now the focal point for information on the tragedy.
"It's a little surreal watching. If it was just myself it would be one thing, but I know the entire civilized world is tuning in as well," said his younger brother Brad Cone.
He received a quick e-mail from his brother Thursday night calling it "a very difficult day."
It was just enough reassurance for the family.
Though they could watch the calm, authoritative presence on television, there was still concern.
"I was worried for his safety and worried it happened on his watch," said Brad Cone.
And deep concern for the soldiers he commands on that watch.
Fort Hood is the nation's largest military base and oversees 57,000 troops.
Brad Cone says his brother is showing the discipline that has been the hallmark of his more than thirty-year military career.
"Fort Hood is going to need someone who can calm the troops and their families, restore morale and bring them together as a community. They got the right man because he was born to do the job he's doing right now."
Lt. General Cone took over as commander at Fort Hood just six weeks ago, having started his career there just out of West Point.
He's also expected to return to Iraq after Christmas to support the mission to withdraw U.S. troops.
The family is hoping to visit him for the Christmas holiday, but those plans are a little uncertain now.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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