Obama remembers what Fort Hood victims left behind

FORT HOOD, Texas. - President Barack Obama says the nation must never forget the 13 men and women who died during a shooting rampage on a U.S. Army post at Fort Hood, Texas.

In prepared remarks, Obama says the shooting is a tragedy, in part because the military members died on U.S. soil and not on a battlefield.

Obama on Tuesday planned to use his remarks to praise those who died and calm a nation troubled by the shootings.

Obama says the United States endures because of those who defend it. He says the bravery of those who died there must be honored by remembering their contributions to their communities.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle stand for the singing of the National Anthem.

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President Barack Obama is blaming "twisted logic" for the killing of 13 men and women at Fort Hood and says there is no faith that justifies acts he describes as "murderous and craven."

Maj. Nidal Hasan allegedly went on a shooting rampage at the Army post last Thursday. Soldiers reported that Hasan, who is Muslim, shouted the Arabic phrase for "God is Great" before opening fire.

Obama says no just and loving God looks with favor upon the Fort Hood slayings and that the shooter ultimately will meet justice "in this world and the next."

AP Sources: Defense Department worker looked into Hasan

U.S. officials say a Pentagon worker on a terrorism task force looked into Fort Hood shooting suspect Nidal Hasan's background months ago, and concluded he did not merit further investigation.

Two officials say the Washington-based task force was notified of communications between Hasan and a radical imam overseas, and the information was turned over to a Defense Criminal Investigative Service employee assigned to the task force.

That worker wrote up an assessment of Hasan after reviewing the Army major's personnel file and the communications.

The disclosure is important because it shows the Defense Department was aware since late last year of Hasan's contacts with the imam.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.

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