Commander in Chief and Second in Command Visit two Military Memorials Today

TEMPLE, Texas- President Barack Obama is expected to speak today at a memorial service at Fort Hood, Texas, for the 13 U.S. soldiers and others gunned down in a rampage allegedly committed by a U.S. Army psychiatrist.

Hospital officials said the man suspected of carrying out the massacre, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, has meanwhile regained consciousness and is able to talk. Officials, however, have declined to give details about what Hasan may be saying or what treatment he may be receiving.

Hasan, 39, was shot by police during the attack on November 5 and had been in a coma.

In another development, U.S. officials said Hasan is expected to be charged with the attack in a military court.

In the investigation of the rampage, U.S. reports said investigators were probing potential contacts between Hasan and people linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network. One focus of the probe is whether the suspect acted alone or had outside direction.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Joe Biden is to appear at Fort Lewis today to pay respects and speak at the memorial ceremony for seven Stryker brigade soldiers who were killed together when their vehicle hit a concealed bomb in southern Afghanistan two weeks ago.

The men being honored today are Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, 27; Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, 24; Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, 29; Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, 27; Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24; Spc. Jared D. Stanker, 22; and Pfc. Christopher I. Walz, 25.

The memorial will start at 1 p.m. in the North Fort Chapel. It is not open to the general public, but is shaping up to be a major Northwest event, with a number of public figures attending and strict rules in place for media coverage.

Biden’s visit will mark the first time a U.S. president or vice president has participated in any of the dozens of memorial ceremonies for fallen soldiers at the local Army post since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is also the first time either Biden or President Barack Obama is known to have visited Fort Lewis.

The Oct. 27 deaths of the seven soldiers from 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division made it the deadliest day for Fort Lewis since the two wars began. And it quickly grabbed the attention of the White House. Obama went to Dover, Del., to meet the late-night flight carrying the flag-draped coffins of the soldiers.

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