Obama Consoles Families, Survivors of Texas Blast
WACO, Texas (AP) — President Barack Obama is telling mourners at a memorial service for victims of a Texas plant explosion that their community is not alone.
With a dozen flag-draped coffins of volunteers and firefighters before him, Obama said: "We're neighbors too. We're American too, we stand with you and we do not forget."
The April 17 fertilizer plant fire in West, Texas, erupted and leveled part of the town and killed 14 people. The memorial service was held at Baylor University in nearby Waco.
Obama attended the service with first lady Michele Obama on the same day he shared the stage in Dallas with four former presidents gathered for the dedication of George W. Bush's presidential library.
Obama says: "We give thanks for the courage and the compassion and incredible grace of the people of West."Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Washington contributed to this report.
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(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)