ESCAMBIA COUNTY - Fort Hood is more than a military base. It's also home to thousands of families: A community that sends soldiers off to distant battlefields.

Channel Three's James Jackson spoke to a local mother today, whose son was on the base, when the gunfire rang out.

He continues our team coverage from the studio.James?

Earlier today, I spoke with Lisa Quattrone, who has a message from her son who is stationed there.

He's urging people along the Gulf Coast to pray for the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.

It's been an emotional 24 hours for Lisa Quattrone.

She just got off the phone with her son, Joshua, who is stationed at Fort Hood.

Lisa Quattrone/Son Stationed at Fort Hood, "They were supposed to be off today for mourning, but that they were all called in around 10 o'clock today."

Quattrone was returning from lunch yesterday when the shots rang out.

He immediately into a basement when the base went on lockdown.

Lisa Quattrone/Son Stationed at Fort Hood, "Everybody had their doors closed, was inside, and just praying everything was over."

Quattrone, a Woodham High School Graduate, has been stationed at Fort Hood for two years doing construction.

He was in Afghanistan for 18 months and returned home in August.

Lisa Quattrone/Son Stationed at Fort Hood, "He was in Afghanistan for all that time and he came home safely and he was exposed to violence right there on the base where he was stationed at. It didn't make any sense."

Liana Clyde/Josh's Aunt, "It just kind of makes you sick in the pit of your stomach."

Liana Clyde, Josh's aunt, says her heart stopped when she heard about the tragic shooting.

She got word of it from Josh's wife's Facebook page.

Liana Clyde/Josh's Aunt, "My reaction as a Christian was we need to pray for our troops. Not only the ones that are on foreign soil but the ones that are on American soil because it's come home now."

Quattrone will soon be returning to Pensacola for Thanksgiving.

His family members are thankful he survived his tour overseas and a tragic moment at home.

Quattrone is scheduled for another tour in Afghanistan next year.

Army Secretary John McHugh told reporters at fort hood today his staff is working every moment to ensure the safety and security of army personnel to the highest possible degree.Fort Hood Shootings Leaves Family Members Everywhere Terrified