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KIEL – Of all the names mentioned at the annual Veteran’s Day ceremony Wednesday, Kiel High school graduate Amy Krueger’s was the one met with the most heartache.

“No one ever has experienced this before,” said Chief Warrent Officer Daryl Hamel

Hamel was one of the hundreds who packed the Kiel High School gym to honor Krueger and others.

He is Krueger’s cousin-in-law and fellow soldier who was stationed on Fort Hood during the shootings that took his relative’s life.

“It was horrifying,” said Hamel.

But in the middle of the horror comes the kindess of many.

“I never in my 16 year career in military, have I seen the love from this community,” he said.

It was just Tuesday that Hamel leaned on that love, tasked with perhaps the hardest duty of his career, escorting his cousin home to rest.

“It’s a hard fence be on as a professional and as a family member, but what I know is that I had to honor her,” he said.

And so did perfect strangers like Vietnam veteran Allen Nohl who reminded this small town, Amy Krueger will only leave if you let her.

“She is no longer with us, but her spirit fils this gym,” said Nohl. “Keep her spirit alive.”