Those who attended tonight's vigil came to reflect and remember and most importantly, show their respect for the victims of Thursday's tragedy.
Traffic building up entering a stadium parking lot on a Friday night -- not unusual. But those filing into Hood Stadium on this night picked up candles -- not programs. They came to pray, not watch others play. And cheers were replaced with tears. They came to the candlelight vigil to remember the victims of Thursday's shootings at Fort Hood.
"When you were shocked into the reality that there had been a tragedy you were able to pull yourselves together and do all the things communities do in crisis," said Major General Douglas Carver, the U.S. Army's Chief of Chaplains.
Army dignitaries were present as were enlisted men and women and civilians.
"I think what happened was really tragic and I just feel like I should be here to support," said Sharette Hasan who attended the vigil.
"I think it means a great deal. I think they're getting a show of family and friends and complete strangers that they really care for them," said Joellen Freligh who attended the vigil.
Major Dan Walker said when soldiers deploy overseas they are better prepared to deal with tragic encounters, but not once they return home.
"We get ourselves mentally ready for that type, these types of stuff, but then we come back here and we kind of put our guard down and we think we're safe," Walker said.
Tracy Kaeher, who knows the gunman, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, says one of the most disturbing aspects was the soldiers lack of safety in what should have been a safe environment.
"Major Hassan that worked on the psychiatric floor that should be the safest place in the world for soldiers and now that's just been violated, so I was angry, I was hurt, I was saddened," she said.
To add a comment, please register or login.