Fort Hood, nation pay tribute to victims of post
shooting spree
11/11/09 - (Source: US Department of Defense) |
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama
place a commander-in-chief's coin on the fallen Soldier
memorials honoring 13 shooting victims at the conclusion
of a memorial ceremony at Fort Hood, Texas, November 10,
2009. |
FORT
HOOD, Texas (Nov. 10, 2009) -- The mournful and all too
familiar scene of a bugler playing Taps occurred again
here Tuesday as the Fort Hood community paid its
respects to fallen warriors struck down last week
allegedly at the hands of a lone gunman, who also
happened to wear an Army uniform.
"No words can ever express our sadness," Lt. Gen. Robert
Cone, III Corps and Fort Hood commanding general said
before President Barack Obama took the stage.
"We can never accept the loss of Soldiers at home," Cone
added. "Our Army family shares in the loss of your loved
ones."
The general also praised the courage of the Soldiers who
disregarded their own safety to render aid to others at
the scene.
Prior to his public address, the president spoke with
many of the survivors and the families of the fallen.
Speaking to an estimated 15,000 people at the memorial,
Obama vowed that justice will be done in the attack that
left 13 dead and 43 wounded.
"No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts,"
Obama said, noting that Soldiers who responded to the
attack "remind us of who we are as Americans."
Although the president told the families that "no words
can fill the void that has been left," he added, "your
loved ones endure through the life of our nation.
"Their life's work is our security and the freedom that
we too often take for granted. Every evening that the
sun sets on a tranquil town; every dawn that a flag is
unfurled; every moment that an American enjoys life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness - that is their
legacy," the president said.
The Fort Hood community has suffered 545 Soldiers killed
in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Cone said, "but
never did we expect to pay such a high price at home."
The Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George W. Casey Jr.,
added, "Grieve with us. Don't grieve for us.
"Those who have fallen did so in the service of their
country," he said. "They freely answered the call to
serve, and they gave their lives for something that they
loved and believed in."
The fallen came from 11 different states and from all
walks of life to answer the call of service, Cone said,
emphasizing their diversity. The deadly incident will
motivate Soldiers to renew their resolve and commitment
of the military and to win the nation's wars, the
general said.
"May our continued service be a tribute to them," Cone
said.
Like generations before them, President Obama said this
generation of servicemembers has paid the price for
freedom.
At the conclusion of the memorial ceremony, Obama and
first lady Michelle Obama laid a presidential coin
before each of the 13 battlefield crosses - the helmet,
boots and rifle representing each of those killed -
before family members and comrades filed past. |
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Fort Hood Tribute to Shooting Victims
