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As US fights on, Obama marks Memorial Day with call to honor the fallen As US fights on, Obama marks Memorial Day with call to honor the fallen
(about 3 hours later)
President Barack Obama laid a wreath on Monday at the Tomb of the Unknowns, to honor members of the military who died serving their country. On Memorial Day, President Obama challenged Americans to fill the silence from those who died serving their country with love and support for families of the fallen, “not just with words but with our actions”.
Related: Endless war: Trump and the fantasy of cost-free conflictRelated: Endless war: Trump and the fantasy of cost-free conflict
Obama’s appearance at Arlington National Cemetery carried on a longstanding presidential tradition, as the US struggles to end various conflicts in the Middle East. Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor the nation’s war dead. Under mostly sunny skies at Arlington National Cemetery, he bowed his head for a moment, then placed his right hand over his heart as taps was played.
In his remarks, Obama called for Americans to honor the fallen by caring for those they leave behind: their families and their battle buddies who come home. In his address, he commemorated the more than 1 million people in US history who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“We need to be there not just when we need them, but when they need us,” Obama said of the nation’s veterans. Obama said the markers at Arlington belong mostly to young Americans, those who never lived to be honored as veterans for their service.
Obama said 20 members of the armed forces had died in combat within the last year. Special operations forces continue to serve in dangerous missions in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, even as the US military presence in the latter two countries has been greatly reduced under Obama’s watch. “The Americans who rest here, and their families – the best of us, those from whom we asked everything – ask of us today only one thing in return: that we remember them,” Obama said.
The focus in Iraq and Syria is on defeating the Islamic State group. In Afghanistan, US troops work with Afghan forces battling the Taliban. Obama called for Americans to honor the families who lost loved ones and the battle buddies left behind. He said it was important to ensure veterans get access to good healthcare and jobs.
Prior to traveling to Arlington, Obama held a breakfast reception at the White House for family members of fallen service members and veterans groups. “We have to do better,” he said. “We have to be there not only when we need them, but when they need us.”
Special operations forces continue to serve in dangerous missions in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, even as the US military presence in the latter two countries has been greatly reduced under Obama’s watch.
Obama acknowledged the continuing threat to service members, singling out for praise three who have died in Iraq in recent months: Master Sergeant Joshua L Wheeler, Staff Sergeant Louis Cardin and Chief Special Warfare Operator Charles Keating IV.
Obama said Keating joined the navy Seals because it was the hardest thing to do. He quoted a platoon mate who told Keating’s parents in a letter soon after their son’s death “please tell everyone Chuck saved a lot of lives today”.
Of Cardin, Obama said he gave his life while protecting the marines under his command. “Putting others before himself was what Louis did best,” he said.
Obama noted that Wheeler was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 14 times and earned 11 Bronze Stars. He also participated in a mission in October that rescued some 70 hostages. He died before his son, David, was born, but that son and Wheeler’s widow, Ashley, were at Monday’s ceremony.
“Today this husband and father rests here in Arlington in Section 60,” Obama said. “And as Americans, we resolve to be better, better people, better citizens because of Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler.”
Related: Marine killed in Isis attack died at unpublicised US-only base in Iraq
Prior to traveling to Arlington, Obama held a breakfast reception at the White House for military leaders, family members of fallen service members and veterans groups.
In Delaware, meanwhile, the state national guard named its headquarters after former state attorney general and national guard major Beau Biden.In Delaware, meanwhile, the state national guard named its headquarters after former state attorney general and national guard major Beau Biden.
Beau Biden, son of Vice-President Joe Biden, enlisted in 2003 and deployed to Iraq in 2008 for a year with the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, earning the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He later served two terms as Delaware’s attorney general.Beau Biden, son of Vice-President Joe Biden, enlisted in 2003 and deployed to Iraq in 2008 for a year with the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, earning the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He later served two terms as Delaware’s attorney general.
He died a year ago of brain cancer, at the age of 46. The Delaware national guard said Joe Biden and other family members were expected to attend Monday’s ceremony.He died a year ago of brain cancer, at the age of 46. The Delaware national guard said Joe Biden and other family members were expected to attend Monday’s ceremony.