Obama's Weekly Address

[1:47] ..." for one purpose and one purpose all. To protect and defend the United States of America. We saw the valor selflessness. And unity of purpose that makes our servicemen and women the finest fighting force on earth. That make the united states military the best the world has ever known. That make all of us proud to be Americans. On Friday. I'm it would FBI director Mueller Defense Secretary gates and representatives of the relevant agencies to discuss their ongoing investigation into what led to this terrible crime. And I'll continue to"...

[2:39] ..." all the Americans wear or have worn. The proud uniform of the United States of America. Soldiers sailors airmen Marines coast Guardsmen. And the military families who love and support them. In tribute to those who fell at fort -- ordered flags flying over the White House and other federal buildings to be lowered to half staff. From now until veterans day next Wednesday. Veterans day is our chance"...

[3:41] ..." perch. On blinking compassion. And on common camaraderie. Of soldiers and civilians Fort Hood show Americans shall the world. -- of the men and women we honor today. These men and women we honor veterans. And"...

[0:01]" like to speak with the -- for a few minutes today about the tragedy that took place Portland. This past Thursday. -- clear Texas afternoon. An army psychiatrist walked into the soldier readiness processing center and began shooting his fellow soldiers. It's an act of violence that would have been heartbreaking hadn't occurred any place in America. -- crime that would have horrified us -- its victims -- Americans of any background. But it's all the more heartbreaking and all the more despicable because the place where -- and the patriots who -- victims. The SRP is where -- men and women in uniform go before getting deport. It's where they get their teeth checked and their medical records updated to make sure everything is in order before getting shipped out. It was in this place. On base where soldiers ought to feel more safe. Where those brave Americans were preparing to risk their lives in defense of our nation. Lost their lives a crime against our nation. Soldiers stationed in Iraq Afghanistan and around the world called an email loved ones that Portland. All expressing the same stunned reaction. I'm supposed to be the one in harm's way. You. Thursday shooting with one of the most devastating ever committed on American military base. Yet even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display we also saw the best of America. We saw soldiers and civilians alike rushing to the -- of fallen comrades -- bullet riddled close to treat the injured. Using blouses churches. Taking down the shooter even as they -- wounds themselves. We saw soldiers bringing to bear on our own -- the skills they've been trained to use broad. Skills that have been honed through years of determined effort for one purpose and one purpose all. To protect and defend the United States of America. We saw the valor selflessness. And unity of purpose that makes our servicemen and women the finest fighting force on earth. That make the united states military the best the world has ever known. That make all of us proud to be Americans. On Friday. I'm it would FBI director Mueller Defense Secretary gates and representatives of the relevant agencies to discuss their ongoing investigation into what led to this terrible crime. And I'll continue to be in close contact with them as new information comes. We can't fully know what leads a man to do such -- What we do know is that our faults with every single one of the men and women who were injured four. Our thoughts are with -- all families who lost a lot in this national tragedy. Our thoughts are with all the Americans wear or have worn. The proud uniform of the United States of America. Soldiers sailors airmen Marines coast Guardsmen. And the military families who love and support them. In tribute to those who fell at fort -- ordered flags flying over the White House and other federal buildings to be lowered to half staff. From now until veterans day next Wednesday. Veterans day is our chance to honor those Americans who served on the battlefields from Lexington to anti. Normandy to Manila in job to case. Ramadi to cop car. There Americans of every race faith and station. Are Christians and Muslims Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers. There are descendants of immigrants and immigrants themselves. The reflect the diversity that makes this America. What they share is that patriotism like no. But he shares our commitment to country that has been tested and -- But he -- the same unflinching perch. On blinking compassion. And on common camaraderie. Of soldiers and civilians Fort Hood show Americans shall the world. -- of the men and women we honor today. These men and women we honor veterans. And these are men and women we shall honor every day in times of war and times of peace so long as our nation doors."