Tuesday, November 10, 2009
KILLEEN — On a post still raw with emotion from last week’s deadly shootings, reactions are mixed here about the reception that President Barack Obama will receive when he visits largely conservative Central Texas today for the first time as president.
Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are expected to attend a memorial service at 1 p.m. today at Fort Hood and visit with some of those who were injured when authorities say Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan fired at least 100 rounds in a crowded medical facility on post. In all, 13 people were killed and 29 injured before Hasan was shot in the torso by civilian police.
Hasan, who is hospitalized on a San Antonio Army base, was reportedly improving Monday and able to talk.
The memorial service for the 13 victims of Thursday’s deadly shootings at Fort Hood will be held at 1 p.m. today on post. Admission to the service is free, and no tickets or reservations are required. Because President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are expected to attend, base officials urge people to arrive early, as shuttle buses will begin transporting attendees to the memorial service area at 9 a.m.
People are required to enter the base through the Clear Creek gate. Visitors should expect to go through airportlike security, Fort Hood officials say, and bring as few items as possible.
No bags, sharp objects, umbrellas, liquids, strollers or signs will be permitted into the venue. Cameras are permitted.
Today’s memorial service, which will be held on post, is open to the public, who will be screened through airportlike security.
The Obamas are expected to arrive at Fort Hood just before 11:30 a.m. and leave around 3 p.m.
Cynthia Wood, a 31-year-old Army wife whose husband currently is deployed to Iraq, said she wishes the president would focus on what she thinks are more pressing matters.
“I think that, because it’s a memorial service, he’ll get a warm welcome,” Wood said. “But I think everyone has a lot of reservations about him because he still hasn’t made a decision (about the war in Afghanistan).
“Honestly, instead of coming to the memorial service, I’d rather him take the time to make a decision about Afghanistan.”
One way or another
Wood, who voted for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and dressed as Sarah Palin last Halloween, said she wants the administration to make a decision, one way or another.
“If we’re going to stay there, we shouldn’t do it halfway,” she said. “We need to do it to win it or get out.”
Reportedly, Obama was nearing a decision Monday to add tens of thousands more forces to Afghanistan, though not quite the 40,000 sought by his top general there, as Pentagon planners worked to make room for the influx.
Administration officials said Monday that the deployment most likely would begin in January with a mission to stiffen the defense of 10 key cities and towns.
Joseph Fowlkes, 32, of Killeen, who retired from the military in October after having been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, said he wants troops to come home.
More coverage
» Our complete Fort Hood coverage
“I was tired of getting deployed,” he said. “I was tired of my friends getting deployed. But we can’t pull out entirely, because then everything we’ve done over there will be for nothing.”
Fowlkes, who said he voted for Obama, said he knows people have mixed views about the president attending today’s service but said whatever remarks Obama makes will likely improve opinions of him.
Javier Vicencio, 45, a Killeen-based truck driver who said he voted for Obama, said he hopes that’s the case.
“He’s going to need to work hard to improve people’s impressions of him around here,” Vicencio said.
McCain won the county’s vote in 2008 with 54 percent to Obama’s 44 percent, according to Bell County’s Web site.
Karin Newport, 33, of Killeen, said she spent Monday posting her opinions regarding Obama’s visit to her Facebook page.
“I understand and appreciate that he wants to come and pay his respects, but if he wasn’t coming, a lot more families and people who actually live in Killeen could attend,” said Newport, a mother of three and Army wife. “The people who could really benefit from attending the memorial are going to be deterred by the heightened security measures.”
She said she still is planning on pulling her children — ages 5, 7 and 9 — out of school and attending.
If she could sit down with the president, Newport, who said she voted for McCain, said she’d tell him to pull out of Afghanistan and beef up homeland security.
Shelly Walker, 36, of Killeen, worked as a civilian in Iraq for three years and saw then-Sen. Obama when he visited during his presidential campaign.
“No matter what people’s politics are, they will respect Obama because he’s the commander in chief,” Walker said. “That’s the kind of reception he’ll get in Killeen. Now, if he went up to visit Waco, I’m sure it’d be a different story. Most people who live in Killeen aren’t Texans.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
equinn@wacotrib.com
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Comments
By Dena Jackson
Nov 11, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this
What the hell does any of this have to do with 13 fallen human beings and a baby whom got killed in its mothers womb during this horrific tradjity. The President came to honor the fallen and good for him. No I didnt vote for him , but I will try my best to suport him. No, I dont like my husband being deployeed all the time either but it the career he chose and I will support him and the rest of our soldiers and that is what we all should be doing. ONE NATION UNDER GOD isnt that what someone said well, what the hell are we doing fighting and argueing amongst ourselves. STOP all the blame game and stand up for our nation and lets change it and make it better it takes us all ... not just a President we have to help. ONE more thing dont forget the baby that was killed in this terrible massacar ... so I believe 14 should be the count not 13 even unborn it was a human being and now it dont have a chance to enter this world and try and make a difference .....as WE CAN IF WE WORK TOGETHER.... DONT BE LIKE THE OTHER COUNTRIES .... OR WE LOSE ... I dont know about you but I am a WInner.
By CITIZEN
Nov 11, 2009 7:48 AM | Link to this
DENNIS, I LOVE YOUR COMMENT. AMEN.
By GOOD CITIZEN
Nov 11, 2009 7:40 AM | Link to this
THE PRESIDENT DIDNT GET OUR COUNTRY IN THIS MESS HES TRYING HIS BEST TO DO THE RIGHT THING WE NEED TO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO DO JUST THAT.COLOR SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. WE ALL KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DONT LIKE OUR PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN BUT KEEP IN MIND ALL THE YEARS WE HAD WHITE PRESIDENTS BLACK PEOPLE VOTED THEM IN WITH NO PROBLEMS AND IT SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMS NOW,UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL.GOD PUT THE PRESIDENT IN AND HE WILL KEEP HIM IN.GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY.WE ALL SHOULD BE ON THE SAME PAGE IF WE ARE NOT WE WILL FAIL..
By sybo
Nov 11, 2009 7:35 AM | Link to this
Ok here we go who am i to judge you, who are you to judge me,lets just let GOD do judgeing.its amazing to me whats important to some. but for me its American i see no Color.
By Big Tex
Nov 10, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
Here is what I believe, back in the day we use to say the pledge of alligence. And it said,one nation under God. People we are surely hurting ourselves and other countries notice this. Why not try and hurt our country it is so divided and when there is seperation and not unity. Yeah, we are asking to get kicked in the balls,no one is trying to bring this country together, and I am not just speaking of our government I mean we the people who elect the people to speak for us.
People like Rush Limbough(?) saying " he want's the President of the United States of America to fail". I am sure that went over well over seas to some of our enimes. People he walked into someone elses mess and is trying to correct it his way..and I am not saying that his way is the best way. But, give the President a chance in 4 years then let him be judged then. Remember other countries are waiting, they see the nation that once stood for justice and peace is slowly melting and they are just waiting for the right time. Let's not let our guard down. Support our President not degrade him, support him (not everything). Presidents in the past have done worse.
By Big Tex
Nov 10, 2009 11:08 PM | Link to this
Here is what I believe, back in the day we use to say the pledge of alligence. And it said,one nation under God. People we are surely hurting ourselves and other countries notice this. Why not try and hurt our country it is so divided and when there is seperation and not unity. Yeah, we are asking to get kicked in the balls,no one is trying to bring this country together, and I am not just speaking of our government I mean we the people who elect the people to speak for us.
People like Rush Limbough(?) saying " he want's the President of the United States of America to fail". I am sure that went over well over seas to some of our enimes. People he walked into someone elses mess and is trying to correct it his way..and I am not saying that his way is the best way. But, give the President a chance in 4 years then let him be judged then. Remember other countries are waiting, they see the nation that once stood for justice and peace is slowly melting and they are just waiting for the right time. Let's not let our guard down. Support our President not degrade him, support him (not everything). Presidents in the past have done worse.
By if you aren't down with that, i got 4 words for ya!!!
Nov 10, 2009 10:42 PM | Link to this
FCK ALL THESE COMMENTS!!
By Pravda Reporter
Nov 10, 2009 10:26 PM | Link to this
Texans aren't partial to Obama and company's "Detroit Style" economic policies. (We've seen how great it's been for Michigan.) Obama, Pelosi and Reid are on a spending spree our grandkids can't pay for. Throw these marxists out the next election and all other lawmakers who help them.
By Pravda Reporter
Nov 10, 2009 10:15 PM | Link to this
Texans aren't partial to Obama and company's "Detroit Style" economic policies. (We've seen how great it's been for Michigan.) Obama, Pelosi and Reid are on a spending spree our grandkids can't pay for. Throw these marxists out the next election and all other lawmakers who help them.
By History Repeats
Nov 10, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
I would like to direct each one that is in dismay or confused to read the entire book of Judges then Matthews until Hebrews and then ask yourself. Where will I be when Jesus comes or what side will he send me to the right or the left. It would be better to worry about salvation and what God promise than to focus on opinion and meaningless comments. It want be long and Jesus will be saying o many of US," Get away from me you worker of lawlessness". How many know that the law of God is LOVE... Get a grip time is running out... God Bless!!!
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