Hundreds greet Sarah Palin at Fort Hood - Military News | News From Afghanistan, Iraq And Around The World - Military Times

Hundreds greet Sarah Palin at Fort Hood

FORT HOOD, Texas — Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Sinnott pre-ordered Sarah Palin’s book “Going Rogue” because he wanted to hear her story in her own words. He never imagined he would meet her.

But on Friday, Sinnott was among hundreds at Fort Hood waiting for the former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential candidate to arrive as part of her book-signing tour.

“I’m impressed with the book,” said Sinnott, 29, of Clinton, Utah. “It gets so much more in-depth into her life, and you can see what she says instead of reading about her in the media. It’s nice of her to come here, and I really appreciate it because it shows her support.”

The crowd began chanting “Sarah! Sarah!” just before Palin arrived Friday night. Many stood on chairs, their cameras poised to capture Palin as she entered. Palin waved, smiled and then sat down at a table, which was blocked from view by several black partitions.

She did not make any remarks and hasn’t been speaking to most reporters during her tightly controlled, stay-on-message book tour. Only photographers and TV cameras were allowed briefly near the table.

Jennifer Gavril, who is eight months’ pregnant, said meeting Palin was a thrill — especially when Palin touched her belly and asked when her baby was due. Palin also signed some fans’ T-shirts and one soldier’s patch.

Some fans started waiting in line Thursday night at the Army post about 150 miles southwest of Dallas.

Palin’s visit came a month after a shooting spree killed 13 and wounded dozens more there. An Army psychiatrist, Maj. Nidal Hasan, has been charged with premeditated murder and attempted premeditated murder and remains in a San Antonio hospital, recovering from wounds that left him paralyzed.

During the book-signing, Palin gave a $10,000 check for a fund set up to help soldiers affected by the Nov. 5 shooting, said Ron Taylor, senior vice president of Fort Hood National Bank. He said it was the proceeds from her books sold at the Fort Hood event.

“She said, ‘Thank you for what you’re doing,’ and she said there would be more to come,” Taylor said.

Larry Sharp, 57, said he drove more than two hours from his home in Brenham just to see Palin. He was the first in line after spending the night outside in a chair covered in a blanket.

“Governor Palin is a force that’s powerful,” Sharp said. “I like her beliefs. She’s strong but truthful. I came here to honor her and be an encouragement.”

T.J. Lange, 64, of Seward, Alaska, had been visiting relatives in Killeen near Fort Hood when he heard Palin would be coming to town.

“I’m the only one in the room who voted for her,” he said, referring to the governor’s election. He said he hopes she runs for president because “I hope I get to vote for her again.”

About 250 people initially were brought into the food court building for the event, but the line moved fairly quickly. Fort Hood officials said about 1,250 were there in all, and they would bring in as many as they could after the others got their books signed and left.

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Associated Press writer Anabelle Garay contributed to this report from Plano.