FT. HOOD, Texas -- President Obama is expected to attend a memorial service Tuesday for the 13 people killed during a rampage at Fort Hood last week.
On Monday, crews got ready for the presidential visit by stacking large storage units three stories high around the parade field near the III Corps headquarters.
Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, commanding general at Fort Hood, would not discuss presidential security, but said the perimeter was established for both security and privacy.
He said he expects thousands to attend the service, which will be a traditional memorial with prayer and a sermon.
"It will be familiar and comfortable to many of our soldiers," he said. "The added benefit, of course, is the significance of having the president of the United States here, and all that represents to the Fort Hood community."
Gunfire erupted at Fort Hood last Thursday when Major Nadal Malik Hasan walked into the Soldier Readiness Center and opened fire.
Thirteen people were killed and 47 were injured, including Hasan.
Hasan was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where doctors on Monday reported that he is alert and talking with medical personnel.
Back at Fort Hood, Gen. Cone would not discuss Nadal, but said the criminal investigation is on-going. At this point it's still not determined what charges Hasan will face.
Sgt. Ernest Soliz says he is pleased the commander-in-chief is attending the service in person.
"It brings out the high morale," he said. "Something like this, it just knocked everybody down, and with somebody very important like the president coming, it's just like, OK, I feel good now. I feel very good.''
