I have a son who is stationed at Fort Hood and currently in Iraq..my first thought was thank goodness he is safe in Iraq!Ironic is it not!

Good evening, Brian.

While wrenching is the very appropriate way to describe it, this afternoon's memorial at Fort Hood was also an enormously moving tribute, and could not have been put together more perfectly and appropriately to honor and remember the heroes lost and wounded in the shooting, and our heroes who continue to sacrifice for our freedom and safety. Thank you and NBC for being the only network news channel to cover the entire memorial, and thanks to retired General McCaffrey, retired Colonel Jack Jacobs, Richard Engel who has returned to Kabul, and all the rest of your colleagues for joining us. I overheard CBS and ABC started and ended their coverage around President Obama's remarks. Their viewers missed those somber moments of prayers, words from General Casey and Lieutenant General Cone, and that unmistakably enduring moment when Master Sgt. Natasha D. Harley moved all of us by singing “Amazing Grace”. The president's remarks at Fort Hood, I feel, will also be an enduring moment of his presidency – at least for a while anyway.

I remember your segment on challenge coins. It's a remarkable, personal tradition between those in the military. It was a sad, yet honorable moment to see the president and First Lady place a challenge coin and pay their final respects before each display of the 13 soldiers.

While today (and many days following) is a day of mourning, tomorrow is the marked day we all thank our veterans and active military for everything they have sacrificed for our country and for a safer world. It's tomorrow that we remember not only the sacrifices our parents and grandparents made in uniform, but as president Obama put it “, We need not look to the past for greatness, because it is before our very eyes.”

The wonderful organization Welcome Back Veterans, is giving an opportunity to those of us who don't always have the chance to send thanks to our veterans: http://www.welcomebackveterans.org/page/s/thankyou and of course are always taking donations. I wish I could do so much more.

The loved ones of the fallen soldiers and those wounded remain in my heart and prayers.

As always, thank you for another great broadcast. Another wonderful Making A Difference report showing the difference Alicia Keys is making. I have to catch up on your entire interview with Jon Bon Jovi (swear I almost wrote Jon Bovi, thanks to SNL) and Lester's entire interview with Alicia Keys.

Thanks again for all of your reporting today. We'll all see you tomorrow night. Also wishing Richard Engel (@richardengelnbc) a safe night on this cold night in Kabul, and that he and all of our military keep warm and stay safe.
-Cary

Good Evening Mr.Williams, A fine broadcast this evening. A day of rememberance for the 13 soldiers killed at Fort Hood. Seeing President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama paying respects for each soldier of the stark boots-and-rifle-helmut memorials was moving and heartwrenching. So very tragic the loss of so many great people. President Obama's words were so poignant with stories of each soldier and one can agree no amount of words can express the sadness felt by the families who lost loved ones. They were the heart of the community and the State. And the singing of  "Amazing Grace" was just beautiful. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of the fallen soldiers.

The report by Savannah Guthrie concerning the US troops in Afghanstan showed President Obama is still looking at options. It appears three different options of numbers of troops are being considered, yet nothing will be decided yet. One only hopes for the day when all the US troops will be able to come home from the region.
On the subject of weather the rain from Tropical Depression Ida have been felt here in Georgia all day today. Heavy rain fell all over the State with probably 3 to 5 inches of rain in many areas.

Happy 40th Anniversary Sesame Street! Many great people have appeared on Sesame Street including a great anchor of Nightly News! You looked like you were having alot of fun Mr.Williams! Sesame Street has taught children letters, numbers and so much more!

The "Making A Difference" segment by Mr.Holt concerning singer Alicia Keys and her founding of the program "Keep A Child Alive" was truly inspirational. She is really doing great work in helping those children at the orphanage in South Africa whose parents died of aids. Helping to provide medicine, raising money to build the clinic providing medical care for patients with HIV is incredible. Those children have a great connection to her. She is truly doing a wonderful thing.

Also, the Presidential "challenge" coin pictured in your posting is really nice. I do remember the broadcast when you showed your great collection of coins.
Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Warm Richard! Drink lots of tea with honey and lemon! Soothes the throat!
XOXO  

Hi Brian,

I was able to watch your coverage of the Ft. Hood Memorial. It was poignant in so many ways. It almost felt too private, as if we, the TV viewers were being intrusive. Maybe it was due to the fact that the ceremony was so sacred. I'm glad that you covered it though. Americans needed to see it and of course other countries were watching. It's disturbing that extremists of any kind can view what we do, and see it as a victory for their side. I think that as a country, we can't know every single detail, every single decision Pres. Obama makes, especially concerning the wars. Some things have to remain top secret. Pres. Obama and First Lady Michelle were very dignified and respectful at the service. They always represent our country in the best light.

I wish NBC or MSNBC could cover the whole Veterans Day Parade tomorrow in NYC, and show it later on MSNBC. I'm glad to hear that quite a lot of the Navajo code talkers will be able to come there and march. To see all the vets would be amazing. Hopefully it won't rain.

I'm going to catch up with Keith Olbermann and that rediculous Stupak amendment. Hopefully they'll also have something on how archaic the death penalty is. If the comments from Mon. get posted, I sent a few statistics along with it.

See you tomorrow evening and have a nice  night.

Great show Brian but I have a busy night so can't give my usual long messages. We've getting ready for the Vet Program and of couse I'm emailing my well wishes to the troops over seas. I hope Americans remember Veterans Day as one to honor all the brave men/woman who actually served the USA.  One reporter said it write the soldiers today are all volunteers not like the Draft.

Have a great evening all and tomorrow take a minute or more to honor our Military Service Men/Woman

Quick note President Obama gave an executive order to set up a department for unemployment for service men/woman and it will have services for soldiers to a just back into the work force/USA.

Brian,
A wonderful broadcast, but it was a
sad day. However, according to one
soldier from Nashville, sadness has
turned into anger at Fort Hood because
somebody should have been paying
attention and I agree with him 100
percent." Striking at American's
underbelly is our most vulnerable
region because we now tolerate virually
everything in political correctness."

I liked Lester Holt's interview
with Ms. Keys who is indeed making
a difference and I also like this
segment of your broadcast.

Phyllis

Good Day Mr. Williams,

I am an avid viewer and veteran, wondering why President Obama has trouble saluting the fallen or at the tomb of the unknown soldier today.  I realize that President Obama has had no affiliation with the military, except for now being the "Commander in Chief" where he has the greatest affiliation in that position.  Am I missing something?; Just seems a little disrespectful not rendering a salute!  Continue to give your unbias opionion and thanks for the great job and your public service.

Johnny Camacho U.S. Army Ret.

Ft.Hood: It's been established 13 men and women were murdered on that fateful day. One of whom was 8 months pregnant. Because this mother-to-be murder resulted in the death of her child, WHY is this death of the unborn infant being excluded from the fatality count? My God, I cannot begin to imagine what that woman's family is feeling. In civilian life when an unborn child is killed as the result of the murder of the mother, it's considered a double homicide. Why is this scenario not accountable in the military? I would appreciate this being addressed and hope to hear an acceptable reply.

I watch NBC and MSNBC exclusively and have not heard this issue addressed. Shame on those responsible. A life is a life and if the alleged shooter is brought to court martial/trial, will he be held accountable for only 13 killings? If this is to be, are the unborn meaningless? What a shameful thought.

It is not my intent to direct blame or come across in a harsh manner. However, this issue angers me beyond words.

Thanks for allowing my input.

I agree, Jacalyn. I was wondering about the baby and why it wasn't considered in the total count who were killed. The family lost two family members. I wish that there were no deaths or injuries, but especailly for the mom and her baby. Thanks for pointing that out.

In the discussion of the tragedy at Fort Hood, I've noticed that the reliegous practices of the shooter have been mentioned unfavorably. As one who grew up in a school where writing "JMJ"(Jesus, Mary, Joseph)on top of homework was a comon devoional practice, who sees people in religious clothing on a daily basis, (we have alot of Mennonites and Amish in our area)and who attempts to live my faith, we need to differentiate religious practice from mental illness.

This man was mentally ill,this is his personal tragedy,and he made it ours too. He happened to be a follower of Islam. Writing "Allah be Praised" on a business card is not a sign of mental instability. Alot of his other behaviors clearly were.  The First Amendment applies to Followers of Islam also. Reporting religious expression as "red flags" is a mistake.        

I believe most of us know this was an act of Terroism. Death to those who do not believe what he does. This was premeditated of course. Also, we will discover he was sending lots of money to his group overseas.  The news is lacking reality and truth.

Why can't you say the words "this was an act of Terror"  as it was on 9/11???  forget the idea of a mental illness being his defense, come on.

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