Fort Hood shooting victims remembered

FORT HOOD, TX - During a memorial at Fort Hood, President Obama tried to comfort those left behind, and said last week's tragedy is more painful, because it took place on American soil.

Thousands of soldiers, dignitaries and military brass gathered to grieve the 13 victims.

The commanding general of the military post offered his condolences. "I want every family member to know that our Army family deeply mourns the loss of your loved one" said Lt. Gen. Robert Cone.

The podium was surrounded by a photo of each victim, three women and ten men, ranging in age from 19 to 62.

President Barack Obama spoke briefly about each of them, including two from Wisconsin.

President Obama said that Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger “was an athlete in high school. She joined the army after 9-11, and returned to speak to students in classrooms. When her mother told her she couldn't take on Osama Bin Laden herself, she said, 'Watch me.’"

The President also spoke of Captain Russell Seager, of Racine.

“[Capt. Seager] worked as a nurse, in V.A. hospital. He helped vets deal with post traumatic stress. He had a deep respect for the military, and spent his time helping soldiers coming back from battle with the stress of returning to civilian life. He leaves behind a wife and son."

The president praised wounded soldiers, who helped others, before seeking help themselves, like 19-year-old Private First Class Amber Bahr from Random Lake, who is still recovering in the hospital.

"One young soldier, Amber Bahr, was so intent on helping others, she didn't realize she, herself, had been shot in the back."

The final roll call offered a powerful moment, where names of the dead were called out, in between names of the living. It was followed by a 21 gun salute followed.

Before leaving, the president and first lady stopped by the portrait of each victim, and placed a challenge coin in front of it, to honor their bravery, service and sacrifice.