Vice President Joe Biden remembers America’s war dead at Arlington National Cemetery
By APMonday, May 31, 2010
Biden honors America’s fallen troops at Arlington
ARLINGTON, Va. — Vice President Joe Biden is saluting the sacrifices of the men and women of America’s fighting forces at the nation’s most hallowed burial ground.
He said the United States has “a sacred obligation” to provide its servicemen and women — “these new warriors” — with everything they need to carry out their jobs. President Barack Obama was to preside over a separate holiday observance near Chicago later Monday.
Biden honored America’s war dead at the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. He was joined by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Biden also personally left a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, a marble structure holding the remains of unidentified U.S. service members who died during war.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
CHICAGO (AP) — President Barack Obama is paying his respects to America’s war dead.
The president is scheduled to lay a wreath and deliver remarks Monday at a Memorial Day observance at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., south of Chicago.
Presidents traditionally participate in an annual Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, as Obama did last year, his first as president.
Some veterans groups have criticized Obama for not appearing at the nation’s most hallowed burial ground this Memorial Day. Vice President Joe Biden will help lay the wreath at Arlington instead.
Obama spoke at the Lincoln cemetery in 2005. He and his family spent the holiday weekend at their home in Chicago.
Tags: Arlington, Arlington national cemetery, Barack Obama, Chicago, Holidays, Illinois, North America, Occasions, United States, Virginia
