Obama urges togetherness in wake of tragedy

President Barack Obama last night implored a polarised nation to honour those slain and injured in the Arizona shooting rampage by becoming better people.

In a powerful speech at a memorial service in Tucson, Mr Obama called for an end to the bitter political recriminations surrounding last weekend's massacre.

He told the 30,000 crowd: 'The forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.'

And in a dramatic moment, the President brought cheers as he revealed that Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head on Saturday, had opened her eyes for the first time shortly after his hospital visit yesterday.

Emotional: President Barack Obama pauses to wipe away a tear as he addresses a memorial service at Tucson. The strain of the shootings clearly shows on his face

Support: The President embraces Mark Kelly, the husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford who was shot during the gun rampage at a shopping centre on Saturday

He said: 'Gabby opened her eyes, so I can tell you: She knows we are here, she knows we love her, and she knows that we are rooting for her through what is undoubtedly going to be a difficult jouey.'

First lady Michelle Obama clasped the hand of Mrs Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought thunderous cheers throughout the arena.

In a 35-minute speech which many believe could provide a watershed moment for his presidency, Mr Obama urged the nation to overcome its divisions and behave ‘in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.’

‘I believe we can be better,’ he told a capacity crowd at Arizona University’s sports arena.

‘Those who died here, those who saved lives here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us.'

Upset: The First Lady Michelle Obama was also moved to tears during and had to be comforted by her husband

A nation in mouing: The President kisses his wife during the memorial (left). She also comforted Mr Kelly

By tus sombre and hopeful, Mr Obama paid tribute to the victims, especially nine-year-old Christina Green, who had gone to the Safeway shopping centre to meet the congresswoman when she was gunned down.

‘I want us to live up to her expectations,’ he said. ‘I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she was. All of us — we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations.

‘If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today. And here on Earth, we place our hands over our hearts, and commit ourselves as Americans to forging a country that is forever worthy of her gentle, happy spirit.'

In crafting his comments, Mr Obama clearly sought a tuing point in the raw debate that has defined national politics.

After offering personal accounts of every person who died, he challenged anyone listening to think of how to honour their memories and admonished against any instinct to point blame or to drift into political point-scoring.

‘At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarised — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds,’  the President said.

Lasting damage: A woman cries as US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet family members of shooting victims during the memorial event

Overwhelming: The family of Dorwin Stoddard, who was shot dead, comfort each other at the memorial

Mr Obama said Mrs Giffords opened her eyes a few minutes after he left her intensive care hospital room this evening.

He said that some of Mrs Giffords' colleagues in Congress remained in her room at the Tucson's University Medical Center.

They were there when the critically wounded congresswoman opened her eyes for the first time.

Inte Daniel Heandez, who provided on-the-spot first aid to the wounded Mrs Giffords, received a hero's ovation at the memorial service.

Fight for life: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords with husband Mark Kelly (left) and on their wedding day in 2007

Much missed: From left, Christina Taylor Green, 9, Dorothy Morris, 76, Arizona Federal District Judge John Roll, 63, and Phyllis Schneck, 79, Dorwin Stoddard, 76, and Gabe Zimmerman, 30

But Mr Heandez modestly declined the title of hero and said it belonged instead to those who spend their lives in public service.

Mr Obama was among those who gave the 20-year-old Mr Heandez a standing ovation at the service, and he insisted that - however reluctant Mr Heandez was to take on the title - he was indeed a hero.

Arizona Goveor Jan Brewer said Mr Heandez's quick actions probably saved Mrs Giffords' life.

He rushed to help the congresswoman and tried to stop the blood loss with his hands.

Mr Heandez, in a brief speech, said he appreciated the sentiment but added: 'We must reject the title of hero and reserve it for those who deserve it.'

Stirring speech: President Obama's address deeply moved many sitting in the audience

Emotional gathering: President Barack Obama speaks to a sizeable crowd at the 'Together We Thrive: Tucson and America' event

Memories of the six people killed dominated much of Mr Obama's speech.

The president, for example, recalled how federal Judge John Roll was on his way from attending Mass when he stopped to say hello to Mrs Giffords and was gunned down.

He talked of how Dorothy Morris was shielded by her husband, but was killed nonetheless.

And he talked warmly of Phyllis Schneck, a Republican who nonetheless took a shine to Democrat Mrs Giffords, and wanted to know her better.

But he spoke at length of nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, the only girl on her baseball team, who often said she wanted to be the first woman to play in the major leagues.

She had just been elected to the student council at her elementary school and had an emerging interest in public service.

United in grief: Daniel Heandez (left), the 20-year-old inte credited with saving the life of Ms Giffords, President Obama, his wife Michelle and the congresswoman's husband, NASA shuttle commander Mark Kelly take the Oath of Allegiance

A community united: Members of the Northwest Fire Department recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the service

Mr Obama was again playing the role of national consoler that comes to all presidents and, in rare times, helps define them.

Recent history recalls George W. Bush with a bullho amid the rubble of the World Trade Center; Bill Clinton's leadership after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995; and Ronald Reagan's response to the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, when he spoke about being 'pained to the core'.

Mr Obama echoed that sentiment by repeatedly saying 'Our hearts are broken' tonight.

Reluctant hero: President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama applaud as Daniel Heandez, a inte for Gabrielle Giffords whose actions may have saved her life, is introduced at a memorial service

Applause: The audience acknowledge Dr Peter Rhee, the lead doctor who worked on Ms Giffords after she was shot

Mr Obama drew on his own experience, following the shooting rampage by one of the military's own members at the Fort Hood, Texas, Army post in 2009, which left 13 people dead and more than two dozen wounded.

Then, as now, Mr Obama focused his comments on how the victims led their lives.

He was joined on Air Force One by Republican members of Arizona's congressional delegation, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Attoey General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

The University of Arizona opened its football stadium after it became clear that the 14,000-seat arena would not be big enough to hold everyone wanting to see Mr Obama's speech about the mass shooting.

Mr Obama had earlier arrived in Tuscon, accompanied by his wife Michelle, and met with family members of the victims.

Mouing: Roxanna Green (centre), the mother of nine-year-old victim Christina Green, attends a community Mass at St. Odilia Catholic Church honouring the victims of Saturday's mass shooting

Significant date: The flag recovered from the World Trade Centre will be on display at the funeral of gun victim nine-year-old Christina Green - she was bo on September 11 2001

His tone was political as well as personal, but he stayed clear of any political finger-pointing - on the back of Sarah Palin becoming embroiled in the tragedy.

She has accused critics of 'blood libel' for accusing her of being a part of an atmosphere of violence, that may have contributed to the gunman opening fire on Mrs Giffords.

The country is currently divided and embroiled in a fierce political debate while digesting how and why this tragedy occurred.

Mr Obama tried to find a balance consoling the nation as well as trying to bring them together.

Nine-year-old Christina Green will have the flag recovered from the World Trade Center on display at her funeral on Saturday.

She was bo on September 11 2001 and was killed during Saturday's shooting.

'Mouer-in-Chief': President Obama and First Lady Michelle leave Tuscon after the memorial service of the victims of last week's massacre

The large 20-by-30 foot flag was famously hoisted over the debris of the twin towers after the terrorist attack nine years ago.

New York City firefighter Jimmy Sands personally carried the flag with him on a flight to Arizona yesterday evening.

Christina's father John Green said his daughter was aware of the significance of her birthday.

'She began her life with a tragedy on 9/11 and her life was ended with a tragedy here in Arizona, but it was nine good years in the middle so the tragedies were the bookends', he told NBC's Today show.

'The bulk of her life was wonderful and we loved every minute of it so', he added.

Obama said on Monday he hoped to ensure that 'out of this tragedy, we can come together as a stronger nation'.