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 Standing before an estimated 3,000 people, including family
members of the fallen and soldiers dressed in Army fatigues, Obama
spoke at a podium where the combat helmet, rifle, boots and photos
of each of the three victims of last week's attack were on display.
"For you, the families, no words are equal to your loss. We are here
on behalf of the American people to honor your loved ones and offer
whatever comfort we can," Obama said. "But know this, we also draw
strength from you."
Obama was accompanied at the service by his wife, Michelle, who has
made caring for U.S. troops returning from wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan a central theme of her White House tenure.
It was a second appearance for Obama at a Fort Hood memorial
service, putting him once again in the role of attempting to console
Americans who have endured repeated random, deadly shootings at
schools, malls and elsewhere.
Joining him at the ceremony were some of Washington's political
elite. Walking together to the sitting area were the House of
Representatives' Democratic leader, Representative Nancy Pelosi, and
Democratic Representative Sheila Jackson Lee and Senators Ted Cruz
and John Cornyn of Texas.
Obama had spoken at the Fort Hood base after 13 soldiers and
civilians were killed on November 5, 2009. Last August a jury of
U.S. Army officers convicted Major Nidal Hasan, a psychiatrist, of
murder and sentenced him to death.
"Part of what makes this so painful is that we've been here before.
This tragedy tears at wounds still raw from five years ago," he
said. "We must honor these men with a renewed commitment to keep our
troops safe, not just in battle, but on the home front as well."
A week ago, Army Specialist Ivan Antonio Lopez, 34, was involved in
an argument over personal leave at an administration building.
Investigators said Lopez fired on soldiers he worked with and others
who happened onto his path during a shooting spree that lasted eight
minutes.
Three were killed and 16 more wounded before Lopez, who spent four
months in Iraq in 2011, fatally turned the pistol on himself. It
raised questions about protecting soldiers at home and caring for
troops battling mental illness, such as Lopez.
Obama said all risks can never be eliminated but "we can do more to
counsel those who have mental health issues" and keep firearms out
of the hands of people having these problems.
"We must honor these men by doing more to care for our fellow
Americans living with mental illness — civilian and military," Obama
said.
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An honor guard fired three ceremonial shots on behalf of each
victim. And then a bugler sounded a mournful "taps." SIGNS OF
SUPPORT
Five of the wounded remain hospitalized. The three killed were
Daniel Ferguson, 39, of Mulberry, Fla.; Carlos Lazaney Rodriguez,
38, of Puerto Rico; and Timothy Owens, 37, of Effingham, Ill. Each
had done tours of duty in Iraq.
Army Chief of Staff Raymond Odierno said there was much to learn
from the latest shootings, including the need to identify risk
factors for mental illness.
He told the service that the latest violence reopened wounds from
five years ago.
"We cannot help but feel the echoes of that most horrible day in the
tragedy we now face," he said.
Before the service, the sounds of car horns honking filled the air
at the busy intersection of Fort Hood Street and US Highway 190 as
an estimated 100 people stood in a McDonald's parking lot. They held
handmade signs with sayings like "Honk if you support our troops"
and "ARMY STRONG."
Shortly before the service, the president was updated about a
stabbing attack that injured 21 people at a Pennsylvania high
school. A 16-year-old student was in custody.
Obama is spending two days in Texas. He was attending two Democratic
fund-raising events in Houston on Wednesday night and is to speak on
Thursday at the Lyndon Baines Johnson presidential library in Austin
to mark the 50th anniversary of passage of the Civil Rights Act.
(Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton in Washington;
editing by
Cynthia Osterman)
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