President Obama Calls Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Marks Anniversary Of Attack At Tucson Safeway

Giffords is "an inspiration," President says, and offers prayers and support...
Tucson, Arizona is today marking the one-year anniversary of the shooting attack on Jan. 8, 2011 that profoundly wounded US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and 12 others, and killed six citizens, including a nine-year-old girl and a federal judge. President Obama today reached out to Giffords, phoning her to "offer his support in advance of the candlelight vigil commemorating the anniversary of the tragic shooting," the White House said in a readout of the call.

The attack from a lone gunman occurred in the parking lot of a Safeway supermarket in La Toscana Village as Giffords was holding a "Congress on Your Corner" event. She visited this morning for the first time since the attack, according to her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly.

"The President told Rep. Giffords that he and the First Lady keep her, the families of the fallen, and the whole Tucson community in their daily thoughts and prayers and, along with the entire nation, continue to join her in mourning those lost," the White House said.

"The President expressed amazement at the courage and determination Rep. Giffords has shown along her incredible road to recovery, calling her an inspiration to his family and Americans across the country."

The President and First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Tucson last year for a memorial following the shooting on Jan.12, and visited Giffords in the hospital, where she was being treated for traumatic brain injury from the single bullet wound to her head. She and Kelly recently published "Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope," a memoir about the rehabilitation process. (Above: Giffords in October 2011, during her first public outing following the shooting)

Those who died in the attack are Gabe Zimmerman, 30, Giffords' outreach director who organized the event where he was killed; John Roll, 63, a federal judge; Phyllis Schneck, 79; Dorothy Morris, 76; Dorwan Stoddard, 76; and Christina Taylor-Green, 9. Christina's parents and brother sat in Mrs. Obama's box during the President's 2011 State of the Union Address.

Giffords and Kelly visit Safeway...
At the Safeway store this morning, Giffords and Kelly attended a memorial with mourners gathering to ring bells at the time the shooting occurred, at 10:11 AM. It was the first time Giffords has visited the Safeway since the shooting, Kelly said on Twitter.

"Gabby just visited the Safeway for the 1st time since 1/8/11. It’s been a tough year, but we're lucky to have so many people standing w/us" wrote Kelly.

There will be a candlelight vigil this evening.

Kelly tweeted a photo from the parking lot (above).

"Gabby remembering the parking spot she chose from Jan. 8," Kelly wrote with the photo.

Giffords and Kelly also visited a trailhead in Davidson Canyon, dedicated to Giffords' aide Zimmerman. They also "visited the doctors and nurses at the University of Arizona Medical Center ICU today," Kelly tweeted.

"We are so thankful for their care," he wrote.

Gunman Jared Lee Loughner remains in federal custody.

The President's remarks at the memorial in Tucson on January 12, 2011:



*Photo of the President by Pete Souza/White House; Giffords photo by Getty; parking lot photo by Kelly