“There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts,” President Obama told those affected by Saturday’s Arizona shooting at a memorial service yesterday evening. “But know this: the hopes of a nation are here tonight.”
Obama assured shaken Tucson citizens that the nation was mourning and grieving with them, and delivered good news that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona — one of the 13 wounded victims fighting for their lives — had opened her eyes yesterday for the first time.
The President also warned the thousands gathered at the University of Arizona’s McKale Memorial Center about politicizing the shooting and blaming others aside from the gunman responsible and applauded those who fought the gunman and the medical staff who attended to the injured.
“These men and women remind us that heroism is found not only on the fields of battle,” Obama said. “They remind us that heroism doesn’t require special training or physical strength. Heroism is here, all around us, in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens, just waiting to be summoned — as it was on Saturday morning.”