A week before Veterans Day, the nation was prepared to honor those who have fought for our freedoms and to mourn those who died doing so.
On Thursday, 13 names were added to the list of those soldiers we mourn.
But their deaths at Fort Hood, Texas, seem particularly hard to bear — the cruelty of their shootings on American soil by one of their own unthinkable; the randomness of their deaths unfathomable.
While debates rage over the part the Muslim beliefs of suspect Maj. Nidal Hasan played in the tragedy, our President put all suppositions into perspective with his remarks Tuesday at a memorial service: “No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world and the next.”
President Obama also gave credit to those who reacted swiftly during the emergency. “We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes,” he said, according to the Associated Press.
Obama spoke to a crowd of about 15,000 at Fort Hood, before a tribute to the fallen soldiers — 13 pairs of combat boots, each beside a rifle and helmet. A picture of each victim rested below the boots.
While the nation mourns these men and women — with surnames that show diverse backgrounds — we should remember all the great Americans who have fought and died, and remember their countries of origin, religious beliefs or backgrounds did not change their love for their country.
Obama’s sentiments on this, too, rang true: “Every evening that the sun sets on a tranquil town; every dawn that a flag is unfurled; every moment that an American enjoys life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — that is their legacy.”
Today, let us unfurl our flags and enjoy being Americans.
This is how we honor our veterans.
