Thousands Attend Memorial For Fort Hood Soldiers
FORT HOOD (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — President Barack Obama says the nation is drawing strength from relatives of the victims of the fatal shootings last week at Fort Hood. The President and First Lady arrived on Sadowski Field at Fort Hood after meeting with victim's and families privately for about two hours.
He says the tragedy tears at wounds that are still raw from a deadly mass shooting on the sprawling Army post five years ago.
♦♦♦WATCH THE FULL MEMORIAL HERE♦♦♦
Obama told relatives of the victims that he's there to honor their loved ones and offer whatever comfort he can. He also gave hopeful words to the 16 servicemen who were wounded at Fort Hood just a few blocks from the memorial.
"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," said President Obama.
This ceremony included all of the tributes due a fallen soldier. About 3000 enlisted soldiers attended the ceremony, which was open to all 42,000 service men and women on the military post.
Officials say Spc. Ivan Lopez fatally shot three soldiers and wounded 16 others before killing himself one week ago at the Texas military base.
Thousands gathered to honor Sgt. Danny Ferguson, Sgt. Carlos A. Lazaney-Rodriguez and Sgt. Timothy Owens. Together they served more than 50 years combined in the United States Army before dying at the hands of Spc. Lopez.
Photos of the three men killed along with their Army gear, combat boots, helmet, dog tags and rifles were displayed in front of the podium where the President spoke.
In 2009, another soldier killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others at the Army post.
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