The thirteen fallen

If you watch the news or read it on the Internet, the only name you will likely see associated with the Memorial Service at Fort Hood today is President Obama's. He will be there, but let us remember the thirteen who will not be there because of Major Hasan.
I have attended a few memorial services over the years and have some advice for all attending, including those who don't like to jump to conclusions.
The Army is a family and there were thirteen deaths in our family last week. Our comradeship and loyalty to one another transcends any political differences and we have been betrayed by Major Hasan and his loyalty to his ideology. The thirteen fallen all made sacrifices to serve and it cost them their lives in a very tragic and unforeseen (by most of us) way. There is going to be a tremendous sorrow at the service, but there is also an unfailing sense of mission. That sense of mission is going to create a ravenous hunger for victory in the Global War on Terror and justice against Major Hasan and all who hold his murderous views. Let us also pray that the president will share that hunger and soon decide whether to send the additional troops to Afghanistan as the ones serving there now fight with resources that do not match their commander's strategy. Let us also pray that the commander in chief will commit to allowing the Army to secure its own force and deny membership to anybody who shares Hasan's views so this doesn't happen again. If just three more soldiers in the Army believe as he does, when will they strike and how many will they kill? My Army does not tolerate those who hate other soldiers and we should not create a blind spot for weirdos like Hasan.
Here are the names of the thirteen who will never share another Thanksgiving or Christmas with their families this side of Heaven. You may have a hard time finding these names elsewhere, so I have provided them in hopes that you will pray for their families as you join with yours in the upcoming holidays.
* 1. Lt. Col. Juanita Warman, 55, Havre de Grace, Md.
* 2. Maj. Libardo Caraveo, 52, Woodbridge, Va.
* 3. Cpt. John P. Gaffaney, 54, San Diego, Calif.
* 4. Cpt. Russell Seager, 41, Racine, Wis.
* 5. Staff Sgt. Justin Decrow, 32, Plymouth, Ind.
* 6. Sgt. Amy Krueger, 29, Kiel, Wis.
* 7. Spc. Jason Hunt, 22, Tillman, Okla.
* 8. Spc. Frederick Greene, 29, Mountain City, Tenn.
* 9. PFC Aaron Nemelka, 19, West Jordan, Utah
* 10. PFC Michael Pearson, 22, Bolingbrook, Ill.
* 11. PFC Kham Xiong, 23, St. Paul, Minn.
* 12. Pvt. Francheska Velez, 21, Chicago, Ill.
* 13. Michael G. Cahill, Cameron, Texas [civilian]