The day after a massacre at Fort Hood, President Obama visited the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington late Friday. The visit was planned before a shooting rampage left 13 people killed and 30 wounded. Still, the contrast is striking: soldiers hurt while fighting two wars, and those killed and hurt Thursday at a Texas military post, where the suspect is an Army major.
The visit was private and lasted 30 or 40 minutes longer than the hour Obama had been expected to spend visiting wounded soldiers. Deputy Press secretary Tommy Vietor told the print pool, ``While at Walter Reed, the president visited with 19 soldiers, three families of soldiers in the ICU, as well as hospital staff. The President also awarded two Purple Hearts."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama will attend a memorial service for the Fort Hood victims, to be scheduled later.
(Updated 1:50 p.m. eastern time Saturday) The White House on Saturday announced that President Obama and First Lady Michelle will attend a memorial service at Fort Hood on Tuesday.
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