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KILLEEN — President Barack Obama will attend a memorial service today at Fort Hood in honor of the 13 people killed last week in the worst mass shooting ever on a U.S. military installation.
Plans call for a traditional military memorial, with a prologue, prayers, speeches, a sermon, music, a "roll call" tribute to the 13 dead, and a rifle salute.The post commander, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, said at a news conference Monday that he expects up to 5,000 people to attend the event, scheduled for 1 p.m. in front of 3rd Corps Headquarters."Our intent is to get as many folks here at Fort Hood as want to come," he said.Cone said he’s hopeful the ceremony will allow the post to move forward, in much the same way memorial ceremonies in war zones enable troops to refocus on their mission."The added benefit, of course, is having the president of the United States here, and all that represents," he said.Relatives of those killed in the shooting, as well as most of the wounded who are not hospitalized, are expected to attend, Cone said.Obama is expected to meet with the families and speak at the memorial, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.First lady Michelle Obama is expected to be with the president when he meets the families, Gibbs said.
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