Obama to attend Ft. Hood memorial Tues.

KILLEEN, Texas (KXAN) - The Secret Service and advance teams from the White House inspected the grounds in front of the III Corps Headquarters Sunday afternoon in preparation for the Fort Hood memorial service set for Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Nathan Banks with the Army's Media Affairs team in Washington confirmed Sunday afternoon that President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the memorial. He also said first lady Michelle Obama , Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates are attending as well.

All 13 families of the deceased are confirmed to attend the memorial, and Banks said the Army is flying in all of the families of the fallen soldiers and the civilian staffer from Thursday's mass shooting at Fort Hood.

During a press conference Monday morning, Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said the families of the wounded soldiers will also be in attendance.

Cone said the ceremony scheulded for Tuesday will be their traditional memorial service, except for the president's attendance.

"I think, obviously, we're creating a venue back there that is somewhat private and clear of observation," said Cone. "Our main intent is to get as many people to Fort Hood that want to be here."

Col. David Batchelor, the event coordinator, said they estimate 20,000 people can fit in the boxed area and said the makeshift barricades are for security and privacy measures.

Cone laid out a general format for the memorial:

• Open with a prologue
• Have some prayers and speakers in between
• Followed by some Bible verses and a short sermon
• Music will conclude the memorial with a traditional roll call of the names of the dead
• A traditional 21-gun salute will end the ceremony

"Our key partners in the community are invited to attend," said Cone. "You also have to remember that 70 percent of my soldiers live in Killeen , Harker Heights and Copperas Cove ."

The memorial is also open to the public, but officials said they must arrive when gates open at 10 a.m. for "airport-like" security clearance.

While cameras are permitted, visitors should bring as few personal items as possible.

Restricted items include:

• Bags
• "Camel backs"
• Sharp objects
• Umbrellas
• Liquids
• Strollers
• Signs

Attendees should enter the post through the Clear Creek Gate and follow the signs to the parking area. Shuttle buses will begin transporting attendees to the memorial service area at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The service begins at 1 p.m. Tuesday. No tickets or reservations are required.