As the holidays draw near, a season meant for gathering, gratitude, and the comfort of tradition,

we're reminded that for some families this time of year carries unspeakable sorrow.

Months ago, tragedy struck at Camp Mystic, a peaceful haven tucked along the Guadalupe River, about 100 miles west of Austin.

That was once a place of laughter, light, and friendship that became the sight of devastating loss.

Tonight we paused to honor the victims, listen to the voices of those left behind, and reflect on what happened.

The questions that remain and the memories that must never fade.

First, I want to thank you guys for being here. It's really an honor to sit down with you.

Really glad to meet you and so very sorry for the occasion.

I wish we were here talking about anything else. I mean a thousand million other things

of what we're talking about.

So I'm a father and a grandfather and two of them are girls.

And Robin and I've talked about this and prayed about it.

And one thing you will not hear me say tonight is I know how you feel.

You can't know.

And it's overwhelming to just talk about it.

Robert and I prayed about this last night before I came here to sit with you all today. So I'm, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I can't tell you how sorry I am. I know that's hollow to say, but I can't tell you how sorry I am. For those of you at home watching, what we're talking about is on the night of July 4th,

a wall of water tore through a camp here in Texas, Camp Mystic,

an all-girls summer camp on the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill country,

about 100 miles west of Austin.

Parents went to bed thinking their daughters were safe at a beloved Texas summer camp,

and they woke up to a reality that they still can't believe is true.

27 lives gone.

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