9 seconds ago 2009-12-09T05:10:05-08:00
KILLEEN, Texas – President Barack Obama has flown to Texas to lead a memorial service at Fort Hood Army base for the people killed in last week's shooting rampage and to console their relatives and loved ones.
Accompanying Obama to Texas on Air Force One, spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president will talk briefly about each of the 13 who fell under a gunman's siege last Thursday. The spokesman said Obama also plans to praise "the dedication of the armed forces" and say just how much people all over the country were touched by acts of heroism and professionalism under incredible stress.
Gibbs called the ceremony "a very solemn event" and said Obama is proud to take part in "honoring these men and women so close to Veterans Day."
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — Hundreds of military families and civilians are arriving at Fort Hood, Texas, where victims of last week's shooting spree will be honored.
Some were wearing red, white and blue ribbons to the Tuesday ceremony where President Barack Obama was scheduled to speak later.
Sheila Wormuth, whose husband is stationed at Fort Hood, brought her 3-year-old daughter to the memorial service to show their support. She says her husband wasn't at the shooting site Thursday, but "what happens to my husband's brothers and sisters happens to us."
The site of the ceremony is a field on the massive post cordoned off with walls of steel shipping containers.
The soldier suspected in the shootings that left 13 people dead and 29 wounded remains hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
