Published: November 10, 2009 12:03 am      

Lone Oak soldier recovering from Fort Hood attack shooting in stable condition

GREENVILLE — Staff Sgt. Patrick Zeigler Jr., 28, has always had dreams of becoming an officer in the United States Army.

“He wanted to be enlisted first, and then get his commission, so he could be a better leader,” his father, Pat Zeigler of Lone Oak said Monday.

His son had served two tours in Iraq with the 1st Calvary Division and was preparing for a third.

“He was on his way to Officer Candidate School,” Zeigler said.

But the dream has been placed on hold for now, as Sgt. Zeigler recovers from injuries he sustained during the tragic shootings last week at Fort Hood.

He was listed in stable condition Monday at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. He was one of 29 people wounded last Thursday, allegedly by Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. Hasan is also accused of killing 13 people after opening fire in a processing center on the military base.

“He took four bullets,” the elder Zeigler said of his son’s wounds. “Three of the four bullets are still in.”

He declined to elaborate on his son’s prognosis, but said the sergeant was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon.

“He’s doing very well, considering,” Zeigler said. “He’s awake, talking.”

An account has been set up at American National Bank in Greenville for donations to assist the Zeigler family.

“Any help would be appreciated,” he said.

Helping is what the family is known for.

His father said Patrick Zeigler Jr. loves skateboarding, surfing and music, but noted how serving others is where his interest truly lies.

“He is into the military,” Zeigler said. “He is very patriotic. We’re both on the fire department in Lone Oak. He’s went on grass fires and structure fires. He is very community service oriented.”

Patrick Zeigler Sr. retired after 23 years in the armed forces and counts himself among several family members who have served in the military, or as nurses or in law enforcement.

“That’s what we do,” Zeigler said.