Today is about healing as a country, in the aftermath of the tragedy in Arizona this weekend. Today, above all other matters, is about Christina-Taylor Green, Gabe Zimmerman, John M. Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorothy Morris, and Dorwin Stoddard.
Here are the places to view the memorial live.
UStreamtv
CNN Live
The ceremony can also be seen on MSNBC.com, ABC.com and CBS.com. There will be live television broadcast coverage on news cable channels MSNBC, CNN, CSPAN and Fox News beginning at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) tonight. Local TV coverage is available on ABC15-TV (Phoenix) and Channel 4 (Tucson) and live streaming on ABC15.com and KVOA.com.
http://www.shallownation.com/...
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have arrived in Arizona and their first stop after greeting Gov. Jan Brewer was a visit to Gabby Giffords and the other victims of the Saturday shooting.
"The president wanted to begin this solemn trip by stopping first at the hospital where Congresswoman Giffords and others continue to recuperate," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters traveling with the president. Giffords was the target of the first assassination attempt on a member of Congress in decades.
Searching for the right tone in the evening service, Obama aimed to console the country, not dissect its politics.
http://abcnews.go.com/...
President Obama arrived at University Medical Center to visit with Gabrielle Giffords and other victims of Saturday's shooting.
A crowd of people cheered as the motocade pulled up outside the hospital.
At Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, President Obama was greeted by Gov. Jan Brewer, Mayor Bob Walkup, Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, Congressman Raul Grijalva and Davis-Monthan Commander Col. John Cherrey.
Meanwhile, at the University of Arizona — where President Obama is scheduled to speak tonight — police are shutting down Sixth Street in front of Arizona Stadium.
Campbell Avenue is also being cleared by police around the university. Yellow caution tape and police line the street from in front of University Medical Center north of Elm Street.
Police say the number of people in line waiting to get into McKale Center has surpassed capacity.
The doors to McKale opened at 3:51 p.m. and the crowd is filing in.
Overflow crowds are being redirected to Arizona Stadium to see President Obama's address tonight at 6....
Noah Sacks, an Ironwood Ridge High School senior, started waiting in line with six friends at 1 a.m. today. They brought folding chairs, blankets, board games and snacks.
"We really wanted to get a good spot," Sacks said. "I just really hoping to hear him give us some hope ... lead us in the right direction from here."
http://azstarnet.com/...
Here is the memorial schedule:
TUCSON - The mass memorial service scheduled for Wednesday will open to the public at 4 p.m. at the McKale Center on the UA campus.
Together We Thrive: Tucson and America," is free and open to the campus and greater Tucson community, according to a UA press release.
President Obama and the First Lady are planning on attending the service, which will begin a 6 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to show up early, as a capacity crowds are expected, and there will be heavy security as part of the President's visit.
The event will include remarks by President Obama, UA President Robert Shelton, state and federal officials and members of the Associated Students of the UA.
The event will also include a Native-American blessing, a moment a silence, a poetry reading, and presentation of messages from the public.
Arziona Governor, Jan Brewer, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Naplitano and U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder are scheduled to speak prior to the President's remarks.
http://www.azfamily.com/...
Tweets of note from Arizona Daily Star:
Dr. Rhee and the med team are getting a standing ovation at McKale #obamatuc
TPD is telling people in line that McKale is now full. Forwarding everyone to Arizona Stadium. #obamatuc
Large crowds remain outside McKale Center and Arizona Stadium 50 minutes before service to begin. #obamatuc
A caravan has just left UMC with family members of victims heading to McKale Center. #obamatuc
Go sheriff Dupnik!!!! Crowd is cheering.#obamatuc
Cheering for Daniel Hernandez!!! #obamatuc
Daniel Hernandez, the 20 year old Mexican-American intern of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ who in the face of a deadly shooting kept himself collected and attended to Giffords—likely saving her life, while instructing others on how to attend to the other wounded people.
“My main goal was to try to make sure the congresswoman and everyone was ok,” the University of Arizona junior said. “I look at the true heroism of Congresswoman Giffords, [District Manager] Ron Barber, [Community Outreach Coordinator] Gabe Zimmerman, who lost his life. and Pam Simon who was wounded,” he said. “Those are the real heroes. True public servants, who spent their whole lives helping others.”
http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews....
International Space Station will fly overhead at 6pm, Tucson. Talk about symmetry. Giffords' brother-in-law, Cmdr. Scott Kelly on board. #obamatuc
Rep. Raul Grijalva on the screen to applause, bouncy strains of "A Closer Walk With Thee." #obamatuc
John and Cindy McCain spotted in dignitary row. #obamatuc
The President and his motorcade are leaving UMC now. #obamatuc
Tucson Symphony Orchestra kicks off the memorial service in five minutes.#obamatuc
(They will perform Fanfare for the Common Man.
White House reports the president spent 45 minutes at UMC where he visited 5 victims including Gabby Giffords, Ron Barber & Pam Simon #obamatuc
The bells toll 6 PM on UA campus right now. #obamatuc
Commander Mark Kelly, Rep. #Giffords husband, seated next to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. #obamatuc
Invocation by Mexican and Yacqi indian and 5th generation Arizonan, Carlos Gonzales.
Let us honor the families... the sacred ways and our sacred ancestors.... look within ourselves to see how we can improve.... from the Northern Door.... receive strength to face our challenges... from Father Sky... gives us good energy... from Mother Earth... strength to nurture.... may the Masculine and Feminine energy come together in our center.... Let us bless those who are lost, those who are healing... blessing for my son in Afghanistan... We all come together at this time, may the words sink in so that they too can heal, I ask this humbly so we can achieve balance. Bless each and everyone here.
Daniel Hernandez, speaks and shows all the traits of a statesman. He insists the moment is not about him and that he is not a hero. In doing so, he confirms that he is.
Governor Jan Brewer speaks and thanks Daniel Hernandez and the President. Thanks him for his comforting words to help heal the nation.
Janet Napolitano: Says that we know the violence is not representative of Arizona or our nation and reads from Isaiah 45:2
Eric Holder: Reads the words of Apostle Paul.
President Barack Obama: I have come here tonight as an American kneels to pray with you today and will stand by you tomorrow.
There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts. The hopes of a nation are here tonight...
On Saturday morning Gabby Giffords gathered with her constituents.... They excercised their right to peaceful assembly and free speech....
President - honors the other victims...their stories that brought them to Tucson.
It's important that we talk to each other in a way that heals not in a way that wounds.
Bad things happen. We have to guard against simple explanations. None of us know what thoughts lurked in a violent man's minds.
We should be willing to challenge old assumptions to lessen. We can use this tragedy as one more occassion to turn on each other. That we cannot do.
Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame. Listen to each other more carefully. As an opportunity to expand our moral imagination. Sharpen our instincts for empathy.
Sorry about the lack of continuous updates but right after the President said "Gabby opened her eyes" I experienced technical difficulties with my computer where I was unable to see the screen or type or do anything but dwell on that.