Soldiers, Families Gather for Twilight Vigil

American Forces Press Service

FORT HOOD, Texas, Nov. 7, 2009 – Grieving soldiers and family members gathered for a twilight vigil last night in remembrance of comrades and loved ones who were killed or wounded in the Nov. 5 shooting attack here.

Soldiers gather for a twilight vigil at the North Fort Hood training site Nov. 6, 2009, in remembrance of comrades and loved ones who were killed or wounded in the shooting tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Substituting chemical lights for candles, the soldiers paid tribute to their fallen comrades and to those who remain hospitalized.

Army Maj. Gen. Charles A. Anderson, commander of First Army Division West, expressed his condolences at the solemn event at the North Fort Hood training complex. With anecdotal stories of past tragedies and the heroism and perseverance of the American soldier, Anderson drew parallels between the “Greatest Generation” and the service men and women of today.

Anderson highlighted acts of heroism that emerged from the violence, and commended the acts of Milledgeville, Ga., native Army Pfc. James Armstrong, who helped get people out of harm's way despite having been shot twice.

Armstrong, a mental health specialist with the 1908th Medical Detachment, Combat Stress Control, was training and processing here for deployment with his unit.

On crutches and in bandages, Armstrong and his wife, Roxanne, were in attendance for the vigil.