Obama, First Lady Meet Victims' Families

Fort Hood hosting memorial service for victims
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 10, 2009 1:34 PM CST
Obama, First Lady Meet Victims' Families
A memorial to those who lost their lives is set up at today's memorial service at Fort Hood.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Stepping for the first time into the role of national consoler, President Obama is honoring the 13 people slain in the Ft. Hood shooting rampage by remembering what they left behind, offering personal stories about the lives they touched and the service they provided to their country. The president and first lady Michelle Obama began an afternoon of consolation by meeting privately with family members of those killed last week on this enormous Army post.

The Obamas also were meeting with those wounded in the attack and released from the hospital, along with their families, before the president speaks at an outdoor memorial service here. Thousands upon thousands, many of them soldiers dressed in camouflage, gathered to pay respects and hear the president. The shooting left 12 soldiers and one civilian dead, injured 29 others, and left a nation stunned and searching for answers. (More Fort Hood stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X