Honoring the fallen on home soil

One by one, President Obama spoke the names and told the stories Tuesday of the 13 people slain in the Fort Hood shooting rampage, vowing that their memories would "endure through the life of our nation."

Standing in front of 13 sets of boots, rifles, helmets and photographs, the president took on the role of national eulogist for the first time since taking office as he led the country in mourning the active or retired soldiers gunned down not on a foreign battlefield but here on their home post by one of their own.

"We come together filled with sorrow for the 13 Americans that we have lost, with gratitude for the lives that they led and with a determination to honor them through the work we carry on," the president told thousands of soldiers and relatives gathered here at the nation's largest Army post.

"It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy," he said. "But this much we do know: 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."

Although Obama has met before with relatives of slain soldiers and made a post-midnight visit to the Dover Air Force Base to salute returning coffins, this was the first time he has served as the nation's comforter at a time of mourning.

These are moments that can define a president, such as Bill Clinton eulogizing the Oklahoma City bombing victims or George W. Bush summoning the anguish of a nation after 9/11.

But where Clinton used the moment to seek greater powers to combat extremism in U.S. society and Bush channeled national anger into national resolve against Al-Qaida, Obama chose not to address in detail the haunting questions raised by the Fort Hood killings blamed on Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan: Did the government miss warning signs when it did not follow up on his communications with a radical cleric in Yemen? How does a U.S. soldier become so radicalized?

While senior Army officers have expressed concern about a backlash against Muslim soldiers, Obama simply noted the diversity of the military. "They are," he said, "man and woman; white, black and brown; of all faiths and stations -- all Americans, serving together to protect our people, while giving others half a world away the chance to lead a better life."

The Army says there are 1,977 soldiers in the active-duty service who identify themselves as Muslims, out of a total of 553,000. But there are probably more who do not disclose their religion, experts said.

'It was from the heart'

As he did last week, Obama noted that the tragedy is all the more painful because of its location. "This is a time of war. And yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle. They were killed here, on American soil. ... It is this fact that makes the tragedy even more painful and even more incomprehensible."

At American Legion Post 573 along Veterans Memorial Highway, a dozen veterans sat solemnly as the president spoke. Kevin Bradford, 72, a Vietnam-era veteran who dislikes Obama so much that he said he will fly the flag at his house at half staff until he leaves office, praised the president's remarks. "I think it was a good speech, a very good speech," he said. "I know it was from the heart."

But David Cronk, 25, a disabled Iraq veteran, was not so sure. "It was well-written," he said, "but I think he needs to do a little more from the heart."

The service came on a bright, warm afternoon five days after Hasan is accused of opening fire in a center where troops get vaccinated before deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama, accompanied by the First Lady and military leaders, met with survivors of the attack and loved ones of those killed.

'Grieve with us, don't greive for us'

The victims ranged in age from 19 to 62. They were immigrants and second-generation U.S. soldiers, newlyweds and single moms. They came from 11 states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin. Ten were men, three were women and between them they had 19 children, with another on the way.

"It was a kick in the gut," said Gen. George Casey, the Army chief of staff. But he vowed that the Army would persevere. "Grieve with us," he said. "Don't grieve for us."

Some soldiers were grappling with feelings of betrayal. "This is the first time one of our own has turned against us," said Spc. Christopher Love, 21. "It shook my resolve."

Security was tight as the service moved through the playing of Taps the singing of "Amazing Grace," the roll call of the missing and the ceremonial volley of gunfire. More than 100 shipping containers were stacked to form a wall surrounding part of the field, while sharpshooters were positioned on the roof behind the lectern.

Afterward, Obama walked along the row of boots, placing a commander-in-chief's coin next to each victim's photo in tribute. Then soldiers and loved ones traced the same path to give a final salute. One woman nearly collapsing with grief.

Many soldiers and relatives expressed gratitude that the president came to help them grieve. Staff Sgt. Lorena Brand, 40, tears welling in her eyes, said the visit would focus national attention on the troops and the terrorism threat still facing the country.

Obama worked through several drafts of his speech, including three on the flight to Texas. He viewed the personal stories as the most important part of the speech, a senior aide said.

"These men and women came from all parts of the country," he said. "Some had long careers in the military. Some had signed up to serve in the shadow of 9/11. Some had known intense combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some cared for those who did. Their lives speak to the strength, the dignity and the decency of those who serve, and that is how they will be remembered."

The Associated Press, Washington Post and Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.