Teena Nemelka (left) and Sheryll Pearson embrace before the Purple Heart ceremony at Fort Hood. Each lost a child in the 2009 shooting — PFC Aaron Nemelka and PFC Michael Pearson.
Teena Nemelka (left) and Sheryll Pearson embrace before the Purple Heart ceremony at Fort Hood. Each lost a child in the 2009 shooting — PFC Aaron Nemelka and PFC Michael Pearson. Bob Daemmrich
Juan Velez of Chicago kisses the portrait of his daughter, PFC Francheska Velez, who was killed in the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood.
Juan Velez of Chicago kisses the portrait of his daughter, PFC Francheska Velez, who was killed in the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood. Bob Daemmrich
Gov. Greg Abbott applauds the Purple Heart recipients during the ceremony at Fort Hood.
Gov. Greg Abbott applauds the Purple Heart recipients during the ceremony at Fort Hood. Bob Daemmrich
SSG Joy Clark (Nelson), center, and other Purple Heart recipients receive their awards during the Fort Hood ceremony.
SSG Joy Clark (Nelson), center, and other Purple Heart recipients receive their awards during the Fort Hood ceremony. Bob Daemmrich
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Royal, wounded in the November 2009 Fort Hood shootings, holds his Purple Heart while talking to the media on April 10, 2015.
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Royal, wounded in the November 2009 Fort Hood shootings, holds his Purple Heart while talking to the media on April 10, 2015. Bob Daemmrich
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. John Carter, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Roger Williams speak to reporters after the Fort Hood Purple Heart ceremony on April 10, 2015.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. John Carter, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Roger Williams speak to reporters after the Fort Hood Purple Heart ceremony on April 10, 2015. Bob Daemmrich

Bob Daemmrich is a contributing photographer. He started covering Texas politics back when Rick Perry was still a Democrat, and remains a vital member of the Capitol press corps decades later. Following...