Slain Soldier Vanessa Guillen Honored With Memorial Gate at Fort Hood

By Mary Anne Webber First Posted: Apr 23, 2021 01:22 AM EDT

A year after U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen's death, Fort Hood named a gate after her to honor her memory.

Vanessa Guillen was murdered at Fort Hood, and her death exposed an environment of sexual harassment and deaths in the military base, according to a We are Mitu report.

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In a press conference at the U.S. Navy Memorial on Thursday, Natalie Khawam, an attorney representing Guillen's family, highlighted the contrast on how George Floyd's case and that of the former Fort Hood soldier were handled.

Former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin was convicted early this week for Floyd's murder and manslaughter last May. Khawam said on Guillen's case, they still "don't have a trial for this" a year later.

"We don't have anything, nothing, a year later," she noted. Khawan said the "country stands today" begging for Congress and the Department of Defense to change how the way the military handles sexual harassment and assault.

She also cited Floyd's case, wherein his family received a $27 million settlement.

"Everyone says to me, 'How much did this family receive?'... They received nothing," Khawam said as reported by Fox News.

Khawam further noted that victims of sexual harassment and assault get nothing when they serve in the Army because they are not entitled to any compensation for wrongful death.

She said members of the military are not afraid to die for the country, but they fear reporting sexual harassment. Shen then went on to call the attention of President Joe Biden over the matter and asked him to support the "I Am Vanessa Guillen Act."

Women in Military

One female soldier, who refused to give her name, said that she shared the same distrust in her leadership.

The female soldier said they want to do their best wherever they "are planted." However, she noted that is not always the case when "you don't have the support and trust from your leadership."

Dr. Roslyn Schoen, a professor of sociology at A&M-Central Texas, said that when something like this happens close to home, it is easy to build a level of distrust with people, KXXV reported.

The female soldier said they are still working hard to make the things right on the things that are currently happening to them and correct the culture that has wronged them many times.

The soldier added that they are "really just working hard to make the military a place where women are welcomed."

According to a 2018 study, workplace violence is underreported partly due to a lack of trust in the system and the organization's ability to protect the victims' safety, dignity, and confidentiality.

The study further noted that reporting violence is important to mental and occupational health for both victims and nonvictims.

Lupe, one of Guillen's sisters, said that the problem is not the aggressor but the system that holds those accountable. She added that the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act should be made into law to protect military service women and men from sexual assault and retaliation.

Vanessa Guillen's Death

Vanessa Guillen disappeared on Apr. 22 last year, which caused an uproar from Central Texas to Washington.

Army officials found the remains of the 20-year old Fort Hood soldier last July. Her remains were found near the Leon River in Bell County, which is 20 miles east of Fort Hood.

The day that Guillen's remains were found, Spc. Aaron Robinson killed himself. Robinson, 20, reportedly killed and dismembered Guillen, The New York Times reported.

Robinson had her body disposed of in nearby woods. According to state and federal officials, Robinson allegedly conspired with his girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, to make the killing.

Aguilar, 22, has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to tamper with evidence related to Vanessa Guillen's death. Aguilar pleaded not guilty to those federal charges. She was not granted bail.

Unlike Biden, Vanessa Guillen's family has already met former President Donald Trump over the matter.

WATCH: Fort Hood unveils gate named in honor of U.S. Army Soldier Vanessa Guillen - from KRPC 2 Click2Houston