Todd Unger

Omaha (KPTM) - While most of the nation morns the military loss at Fort Hood, a few families in the heartland are finding reason to smile after the 540th Military Police Unit returned from Iraq.

The return is bittersweet for some of the 540th as news of the tragedy at Fort Hood spread.

"When you're coming home, you expect this to be a safe place and when you heard that it's disheartening," says Sgt. Bethany Davis.

With the stars and stripes flying at half-staff at Fort Omaha, Davis says it's tough to stomach the realization so many fellow Army personnel were lost on a domestic base.

"I don't understand it when service members go off the deep end like that," she says.

Others, like Specialist Gabriel Hall, have a different take.

"Sometimes it's just too much to handle.  It's unfortunate he blew a gasket," says Hall.

Thursday, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire on folks at Fort Hood in Texas.

Thirteen people died, and more than 30 were injured in the attack.

Hasan is in custody, and in stable condition, after being shot himself during the attack.