'Memory Will Be Honored'

" True. The Fort Hood community. Admiral -- Secretary of Q. Secretary gates. Most importantly to. Family and friends. And members of armed forces. We come together. Filled with sorrow for the thirteen Americans that we have lost. With gratitude for the lives they -- but. When the determination to honor them. Through the work we carry on. This time of war. If these Americans could not. Dial a -- field of battle. There were killed here. On American soil. In the heart of this great state. In the heart of this great American community. This is the fact that makes the tragedy even more painful. Even more incomprehensible. For those families who. Have lost -- well. No words. Can fill the void that's been left. We knew these men and women of soldiers and caregivers. You -- mothers. And fathers. Sons and daughters. Sisters and Brothers. But here is what you must also know. -- loved ones endure through the life of our nation. Their memory won't be honored. In the places they live them by the people they touched. Their life's work is our security. And the freedom that we all too often take for granted. Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town. Every dawn the flag is unfurled. Every moment that an American enjoys life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is their legacy. Neither this country. Nor the values upon which we were found. Could exist without men and women like these thirteen Americans. That is why we must pay tribute. -- Chief warrant officer Michael -- that serve in the National Guard and worked as a physician's assistant for decades. Husband and father of three he was so committed to his patients that on the day he died. He was back at work just weeks after having had a heart attack. Major Lombardo Eduardo. Cover -- spoke little English. When it came to America as a teenager but he put himself through college. -- Ph.D.s and was helping combat units cope with the stress of deployment. He survived by his wife sons and step daughters. Staff sergeant Justin the -- Join the army right after high school married his high school sweetheart. And it's served as a -- real mechanic and satellite communications operator. It is known as the optimist a mentor. And loving husband. After retiring. From the army as a major John -- Cared for society's most vulnerable during two decades -- psychiatric nurse. He spent three years trying to return to active duty in this time of war he was preparing to deploy to Iraq -- the captain. He leaves behind a wife and -- Specialist Frederick green with -- Tennessee. We want to join the army for a long time and its own 2008 with the support of the spam. The combat engineering was an actual leader is survived by his wife and two daughters. Specialist Jason -- Was also recently married. With three children careful. He joined the army after high school. This tour in Iraq. And it was there that you re enlisted for six more years -- its 21 birthday so that he could continue to serve. Staff Sargent. Amy crew was an athlete in high school. Join the army shortly after nine elevenths and its sense returned home to speak to students about her experience. When the mother told her she couldn't take on Osama bin Laden by herself Amy replied yeah watch me. Private first class parent involvement with an eagle scout who just recently signed up. To do one of the most dangerous jobs in the service. Diffuse bombs that he could help save lives. Is probably carry on the tradition of military service that runs deep within his -- Private first class Michael -- loved his family and loved his music in his goal was to be a music teacher. He excelled at playing the guitar and could create songs on the spot. And show others how to play. He -- military a year ago. It was preparing for his first deployment. Captain Russell street. Worked as a nurse for the VA helping veterans with post traumatic stress. It extraordinary respect for the military and signed up to serve so that he could help soldiers cope with the stress of combat and return to civilian life. He leaves behind a wife and son. Private Francesca -- Daughter of a father from Columbia and Puerto Rican mother. Had recently served in Korea and in Iraq and was pursuing a career in the army. When she was killed she was pregnant -- her first child. Excited about becoming a mother. Lieutenant colonel Juanita warm with -- daughter and granddaughter of army veterans. -- single mom who put herself through college and graduate school and served as a nurse practitioner while raising her two daughters. She also left behind a loving house. Private first class can't -- wrong. Came to America from Thailand as a small child. Here's a husband and father of followed his brother into the military because his family had a strong history of service. It was preparing for his first deployment to Afghanistan. These men and women. Came from all parts of the country. Some have long careers in the military. Some signed up to serve in the shadow of nine elevenths. Some -- intense combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. And some cared for those who bit. Their wives speak to the strike. The dignity. And decency. Of those who serve. That's how they will be remembered. That same spirit is embodied in the community here at Fort Hood. And the many wounded were still recover. As was already mentioned those terrible minutes during the attack soldiers made makeshift tourniquet -- out of their clothes. They braved the gunfire to reach the wounded and ferry them back to safety in the backs of cars and a pickup truck. When -- shoulder amber bar was so intent on helping others she did not realize for some time that she herself had been shot in the back. Two police officers. Mark Todd. -- mom saved countless lives by risking their. One Matt Spencer -- to a certain. Treated both officer -- and the gunman who shot her. It may be hard to comprehend. The twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know. No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving god looks upon them with favorite. What he has done and we know that the killer will be met with -- justice. In this world in the next. These -- trying times for our country. Afghanistan and pockets on the same extremists who killed nearly 3000 Americans continue to endanger America. Our allies and innocent Afghans and pakistanis. In Iraq were working to bring award to a successful lenders. There's still those who would deny the Iraqi People the future of Americans and Iraqis who sacrificed so much for. As we face these challenges. Stories of those in Fort Hood put reaffirmed the core values that we are fighting hope. In the strike. We must draw all. Bears of the tales of American men and women answering an extraordinary call. The call to serve their comrades. Their communities. And our country. In the nature of self growth selfishness. Embodied responsibility. In an era of division. They call upon us to come together. And a time of cynicism. They remind us of who we are as Americans. We are a nation that indoors because of the courage of those who defend. We saw that valor and those who braved bullets here at Fort Hood just as surely as we CNN those who. Signed up knowing they would serve in harm's way. We are a nation of laws whose commitment to justice -- saw one during the we would treat a gunman and give him due process. Just as surely you we will see that he pays for his crimes. We're a nation that guarantees the freedom to worship as one chooses. Instead of claiming god for our side we remember Lincoln's words and always great to be on the side of god. We're a nation that is dedicated to the proposition that all men and women are created equal. We lived that truth within our military. And -- in the varied backgrounds of those -- laid to rest today. We defend that truth at home and abroad. We know that Americans will always be found on the side of liberty and equality. That's who we are the people. Tomorrow veterans that. -- And pay tribute. Students to learn the struggles. That preceded them for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents. For citizens to reflect on the sacrifices have been made in pursuit of more perfect you. History is filled with heroes. You may remember the stories of her grandfather marched across Europe. An uncle who fought in Vietnam. Sister who served in the gulf. As we honor the many generations who have served. All of us. Every single American must acknowledge that this generation. More than proved itself people of those who've come before. We need not look to the past for bringing us. Because it is before our very eyes. This generation. Soldiers sailors airmen Marines. Coast Guardsmen. And volunteers. In the time certain danger. They're part of the finest fighting force that the world has ever known. They have served tour after tour of duty in distant and different and difficult places. They have stood watch and blinding deserts. -- on snowy mountains. They have extended the opportunity of self government to peoples that have suffered tyranny and war. They are men and women white black and brown of all faiths. And all stations. All Americans. Serving together. To protect our people. While giving others half a world away the chance to lead a better life. In today's wars. There's not always simple ceremony -- signals. Our troops expressed. No surrender papers to be signed -- Capital to be claimed. But to make sure. Of the impact of these young men and women is no less right. And world of threats that know no borders. Their legacy will be marked in the safety of our cities and towns. And the security and opportunity that spend -- abroad. It will serve as testimony. To the character of those who served. In the example but all of your uniform sat. For American for the world. Reporter wrote. We pay tribute to thirteen men and women. Were not able to escape the horrible war even in the comfort of home. Later today at Fort Lewis -- community will gather to remember so many and one Stryker Brigade who have fallen in Afghanistan. All after they are laid to rest. Fighting is finished. Our nation has -- When today's servicemen and women are veterans and their children have grown. There will be served but this generation but believe. Under the most trying of tests. Lead and perseverance. Just one it was easy but one it was hard. They pay the price. And board would work to secure this nation. Stood up for the values who live in the hearts of all free peoples. We say goodbye. To those who now belong to return. We pressed ahead. In pursuit of peace with god of their service. I got blessed memory of those -- we -- May god bless the United States from there."