Military, citizens honor Fort Hood victims

FORT HOOD, Texas, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Parents, siblings, politicians and military personnel gathered at Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday to honor the 13 people who died during last week's shooting spree.

Family members wore white ribbons to show they were related to the 13 -- three women and 10 men -- who died when accused gunman Maj. Nidal M. Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center Thursday.

Boots, helmets and bayonet rifles signifying the fallen soldiers' last time in battle were placed above photos of the victims along the stage.

The open area where the memorial was conducted was ringed by steel cargo containers stacked three high as a safety precaution.

Soldiers and civilians stood as families of the fallen and wounded soldiers walked in and took their seats under sunny-splashed skies. Toddlers played in a grassy field were some of the audience sat.

Bagpipes wailed as Army dignitaries, and the first couple, President Barack and Michelle Obama, filed onto the stage as the official ceremony began.

Chaplin Michael Lemke opened the ceremony asking for divine help to "sustain us in our sorrow and in time restore in us a spirit of join and hope."

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, post commander, recalled the acts of bravery when the shooting occurred, noting that their military training helped save lives, as well as offered thanks to the outpouring of generosity.

Of the 13 victims, Cone said, "They volunteered to be part of something bigger than themselves. ... Our army family deeply mourns the loss of your loved ones. ... Nothing can erase our grief."

Military deaths are expected on the battlefield, he said.

"Never did we expect to pay such a high price at home." he said. "May our service be a continue tribute" to those who died.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said the victims were "all bound together by the common desire of (finding) something greater than themselves."

"As we grieve as an army family ... I would say to you all, grieve with us, don't grieve for us," Casey said.

President Obama, his voice going from ragged to robust, offered a personal tribute to each of the victims.

"We come together filled with sorrow for the 13 Americans we have lost," Obama said. "This is a time of war. These Americans did not die on a war field of battle; they were killed here, on American soil.

"This is the fact that makes this tragedy more painful and even more incomprehensible," he said.

Obama praised this generation of military personnel as the "finest fighting force" the world has known.

"As we say goodbye to those who now belong to eternity, we press ahead to pursue the peace that guided their service."