The Gazette-Enterprise

The county’s four veterans groups assembled at Home Depot on Saturday to honor veterans in advance of another ceremony to be conducted Wednesday.

But speakers used the opportunity to express sadness at Thursday’s attack on Fort Hood in which 13 people died and more than 30 were wounded by a disgruntled army psychiatrist.

“It’s kind of a sad day when we have to be here honoring our veterans under a flag at half-staff,” said Marlin Howze, commander of Seguin’s Disabled American Veterans Chapter 61. “It just reminds you of the dangers that face our solders and sailors each day, and today we want to remember the soldiers at Fort Hood.”

Officials have launched a full investigation into the life and background of U.S. Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan to determine what caused him to go into a military reception center and open fire in a facility crammed with 300 GIs.

The Associated Press reported President Barack Obama asked for patience while officials piece together what happened Thursday at the nation’s largest Army post.

“We cannot fully know what leads a man to do such a thing,” Obama said. “But what we do know is that our thoughts are with every one of the men and women who were injured at Fort Hood. Our thoughts are with all the families who’ve lost a loved one in this national tragedy.”

And that’s just how it was at Home Depot Saturday morning.

Seguin Home Depot manager Mike Walker opened the even thanking the members of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American GI Forum and the DAV, along with the general public who attended the event, which included a performance by the Navarro High School band.

“The whole idea behind this is to show support for the troops and their families, that it’s an everyday affair for us in a community like Seguin. Let’s be sure that each day we recognize our troops for the sacrifices they have made.”

Mayor Betty Ann Matthies commented on the playing of “Taps” by bugler Charles Ruppert.

“For me, listening to ‘Taps’ is one of the most emotional things connected with veterans celebrations,” Matthies said. “It brings memories for everyone, including me. I always remember it being played at the funeral of my husband, who was a veteran. We come here today not only to celebrate Veterans Day, but also, it’s very timely for each of us to stop and think about the horrible tragedy at Fort Hood.”

Americans expect their soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines to be in harm’s way when they serve overseas, Matthies said.

“Sept. 11 was the first time we came to think of ourselves as being in danger on our own soil,” Matthies said. “But we’ve grown complacent, and those soldiers on Fort Hood are a constant reminder that our troops are in danger every day.”

Matthies spoke about the history of Veterans Day, originally called “Armistice Day” to mark the ending of World War I at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. In the 1950s, the holiday was expanded to honor all veterans, Matthies said.

“We honor not only those who gave their lives, but we should honor all of our veterans, and we should also think of their families, the mothers, the fathers, the wives and the children whose lives have been changed by the service of their loved ones who have been called away,” Matthies said. “We honor all those veterans and their families. Let us not remember to honor them only one day a year, but every time we enjoy one of those freedoms we enjoy because of them.”

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