By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Hays native Jim Spiess called the shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas, a week ago a "shocking tragedy" that couldn't be ignored on Veterans Day.

"(It) makes this Veterans Day that much more heart-rending and somber," said Spiess, a retired colonel of the Marines and guest speaker at the Hays Veterans of Foreign Wars Veterans Day service Wednesday.

The shooting spree Nov. 5 killed 13 and injured 29 more. Spiess said he thought the words of Psalm 116 could be a comfort to families of the victims, but trying to find an excuse for the killings would not.

"Some of the talking heads in the media ... are already finding excuses for what happened," Spiess said. "However, that incident is incomprehensible to us all and also inexcusable."

The 40-year military veteran said anger and sadness about the situation would be justified.

More than 100 people gathered at the VFW on Wednesday to hear from Spiess and his own guest speakers, including Master Sgt. Ray Palmer from the Kansas National Guard.

Palmer returned from a tour of duty in Iraq about six weeks ago and passed the 32-year mark for military service earlier this year.

"I'm hoping to stay in 35 years," he said. "I do it because of the people sitting in this room."

Wednesday's program recognized all branches of the military and veterans of all wars -- including about a dozen from World War II.

"Serving in our armed forces will always be a noble endeavor," Spiess said.