FORT HOOD (November 11, 2009)—The victims of the deadly shooting rampage Thursday at Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Center weren’t far from minds of many on this Veterans Day in Central Texas, around the state and across the country.

Cub Scouts placed U.S. flags by headstones Wednesday at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery near Fort Hood.

Houston Mayor Bill White mentioned the nation's mourning for the Fort Hood victims.

He said says it's fitting to "remember the sacrifices made daily by the veterans still in combat and to honor the service of all who have served."

Texas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jose Mayorga said in Brownsville that the shootings made Veterans Day even more important. Mayorga said "it kind of brings it home."

Troops and families attending a Veterans Day ceremony in Ohio said that as they remembered soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, they were also paying tribute to the victims the shoting.

New York City's Veterans Day observance honored the military men and women who died at Fort Hood, as well.

A military group that also had attended the Fort Hood memorial service on Tuesday was at the breakfast, escorted by Major Lee R. Vartigian of the New York Army National Guard.

Fort Hood's commanding general, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, called on the post Wednesday to dedicate itself to the memories of the victims.

Life at Fort Hood, in some ways, is getting back to normal.

The fist planeload of 1st Cavalry Division soldiers returning from Iraq arrived Tuesday night.

First Cavalry Division Rear Detachment commander Col. Jeffrey Sauer said that, "Despite what happened ... there is a lot of joy and happiness with these families."

Fort Hood's Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr. says soldiers' return to regular duties "shows that we're able to take a hit and bounce back."

Flags flying at half-staff were the only visible reminder of the shootings.