FT. HOOD, TX-- President Barack Obama spearheaded a massive memorial service Tuesday at Ft. Hood, Texas.
A military psychiatrist is accused of opening fire at the base killing 12 soldiers and one civilian. That civilian was 62-year Mike Cahill from Spokane who was working on the base as a physician’s assistant. The president spoke briefly about all 13 victims in front of a crowd of about 15,000 people. He mention Cahill was so dedicated to his work, he returned just a few weeks after having a heart attack.
Relatives of the 12 soldiers and 1 civilian who were killed last Thursday were front and center at the somber memorial. President Obama told them their loved ones endure through the life of the nation and their memories will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched. Some of the service men and women who were wounded in the attack did manage to attend, the more seriously injured victims still in the hospital received a private visit from the president and first lady. Thousands of soldiers came to show their respect.
The FBI says last winter, suspect Major Nidal Hasan was communicating over the Internet with radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who has ties to Al Qaeda. Military officials knew about the emails but thought Hasan was just doing research, and dropped the matter. While Hasan recovers in the hospital... Fort Hood is now trying to come to grips with the worst attack ever on a U.S. military base. Authorities say the suspected shooter fired more than 100 rounds before being shot by a civilian police officer. President Obama says a full scale investigation will be launched.
