Moment of Silence For Fort Hood Victims Observed

Update: 2:56 p.m. FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - Army Chief of Staff George Casey has
asked Army leaders across the country to review force protection
measures after the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, left 13
people dead.
    Casey described the shooting as a “kick in the gut” for not
just Fort Hood but for the entire Army.
    Casey spoke to reporters at a news conference Friday afternoon
at Fort Hood. He says he’s encouraged by the stories of heroism and
courage that have emerged the day after the attack.
    He cited a young private who was sitting in his pickup in
parking lot and heard gunfire. Casey says the private went to the
scene, pulled out four wounded and drove the hospital.

Update: 2:36 p.m. There was just a moment of silence at all United States military bases around the world to remember the 12 soldiers and one civilian and 30 others wounded after a U.S. military psychiatrist opened fire at Fort Hood yestereday.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2009 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has directed a moment of silence throughout the Defense Department today to honor the victims of yesterday’s attack at Fort Hood, Texas.

Twelve people were killed and 30 others were wounded when Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan allegedly opened fire in the post’s Soldier Family Readiness Center. One of the wounded victims died overnight, bringing the death toll to 13. Malik was wounded and is in custody, Army officials said.

The attack occurred at 1:34 p.m. CST yesterday, and Defense Department personnel around the world will pause and mark the moment of silence at that same time today, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said. For example, those in the U.S. Eastern time zone will observe the moment of silence at 2:34 p.m. local time, while those on the West Coast will observe it at 11:34 a.m.

Gates is at the White House this morning discussing the situation at Fort Hood with President Barack Obama, Morrell said. Army Secretary John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. are at Fort Hood conferring with officials there.