At Arlington, Obama honors the fallen

At Arlington, Obama honors the fallen

The President honors the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

Amidst the rolling hills of the Arlington National Cemetery, President Barack Obama gave the annual tribute to Americans who died defending our country. “It’s a debt we can never fully repay,” said Obama, “but it is a debt we will never stop trying to fully repay.”

Obama noted that the hallowed grounds were “more than a final resting place of heroes.” The racial and religious diversity of the men and women buried here represent a snapshot of the country as a whole. “It is a reflection of America itself,” said Obama. “The ideals that bind us as one nation.”

The President spoke of the families of those that have fallen, the ‘Gold Star’ families. “I see that their hearts are still broken and yet still full of love,” said Obama. “They do not ask for awards or honors. They do not ask for special treatment. They are unfailingly humble. In the face of unspeakable loss, they represent the best of who we are.” Few Americans understand the sacrifice made by the one percent of the population who volunteer for military service.

It is the first Memorial Day in over a decade without major American ground forces fighting on foreign soil.

“For many of us, this Memorial Day is especially meaningful. It is the first since our war in Afghanistan came to an end,” Obama said. “Today is the first Memorial Day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war.”

America still has 10,000 troops stationed in Afghanistan in an advisory capacity. Additionally, the international coalition against the Islamic State, led by the US, looks likely to grow more involved and more complex after ISIS militants captured Ramadi in Iraq and Palmyra in Syria the past week.

In Washington D.C., the streets were filled with the roars of motorcycle engines as thousands of bikers paid tribute to veterans with Rollin Thunder’s “Ride for Freedom”. Obama too joined in the cacophony, traveling by motorcade from the White House to Arlington.

Obama ate a private breakfast with representatives of organizations that provide services to veterans and military families. Upon arriving at the cemetery, he laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Bowing his head, he listened solemnly to the playing of ‘Taps’. At three o’clock, the National Moment of Remembrance was mark by people around the country having a moment of silence.

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