Obama's Veterans Day: Honors Dead, Makes Surprise Visit To Graves

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, where they honored Veterans' Day and made a surprise visit to the area reserved for troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, walking among the grave sites and talking to mourners.

"To all of them -- to our veterans, to the fallen and to their families -- there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice," he said.

Obama pledged he would do right by all veterans and families, saying: "America will not let you down."

Watch our slideshow:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • President Barack Obama, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, and others hold their hands over their hearts during the playing of the National Anthem during a Veteran's Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

Video of Obama's speech:

Video of Obama laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns:

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Comments

[BoosMom]

To all of you who claim this was an exploitative photo op, please consider:
On his shoulders rest the most daunting responsibility a human being can have---What is the balance of human sacrifice that must be made in order to keep Americans safe at home and abroad? It is with great courage that he walks among the soldiers families during their time of grief, for all parties know he bears at least part of the responsibility for their loss. He may offer comfort, but must also bear witness to their pain.
He faces unanswerable questions regarding the wars and wants to make sure that he has looked at all the consequences before him. He is being asked to do the impossible--predict the future to determine the path to the least loss. His decision is not protected by the WH walls, but impacted by real emotion at Dover and in the final resting place of our brave service personnel.
Perhaps IT IS a photo op, but the impact of which is not about him. It is to remind us that these sacrifices are being made, and even (or especially) without the enforcement of a draft, there is a tremendous price being paid for our national safety and security. We must always be reminded of the true cost of our freedom and these photos help bring that story to the forefront. Out of sight is out of mind and there's no insight or honor in that.

[zootliberal]

well said, and thank you for saying it.

[yakmeat]

All presidents should honor our service men and women, especially those who have given their lives. Standing among the thousands of silent stones at Arlington, it should become apparent that the best way to honor the dead is to stop increasing their numbers . We have thousands of soldiers above ground, in Iraq and in Afghanistan.

Bring them home.

[Mrphd2b]

My prayers are always with you:
Please President Obama take your time
Embracing Truth and the Spirit of Liberty
One Nation Under God takes Leadership, Strategic Thinking and Communications. People are hungry for truth; searching for meaning and purpose. They are looking for kingdom structure and government that would provide them with relevance and opportunity to make a difference in the world.
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

[TimnySlagle]

SURPRISE visit?

Someone must have alerted the cameramen at least.

I guess "Surprise" doesn't mean anonymous.

[zootliberal]

how cogent of you Timmy, to notice such a glaring mistake in reporting.
Actually, President Obama's visit was unannounced, and those people, visiting the graves of their fallen fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, relatives, or friends were truly surprised to look up to see the President of the United States, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, paying his tribute as well. I for one am proud of him for taking the time, for at least making this gesture, especially when he is deep in deliberations about what should be done in Afghanistan. About how many more of our brave, and so young, men and women he may will have to put in harm's way. About the true and so real consequences of his decisions, consequences written so clearly on the faces of those poor souls he encountered on his "surprise'' visit to the graves of the fallen.
As for the photographers present, thank goodness for them, for it allowed all Americans the chance to share and empathize with the President on this occasion. Some of course will choose to deride and make jokes, but that is the American way as well - or so it seems.

[SKonnery]

Maybe the previous president should have made this trip before he sent them on this useless task in the first place.

[zootliberal]

Timmy, you might also might also take the time to read this post I just found elsewhere on HP:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_my_solemn_surprise_meeting_with_the_president_at_my_friends_resting_place.html?page=1

it may help you abate some of your cynicism, I know it helped with mine.

[benchy]

I have great respect for our men and women in the Armed Forces. Let's make sure we do right by them, we support them while they are on missions and when they come home. Often times people on both sides of the political spectrum wave the patriotism flag high, but when it comes to show respect to those that actually put their lives on the line to defend that ideal of what this country is and has become, they tend to fail and err on favor of political gain. Let's support our troops and their families and our Veterans.

[cuppajava]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/12/colin-powell-to-obama-on-_n_354963.html

Colin Powell: "...Mr. President, don't get pushed by the left to do nothing; don't get pushed by the right to do everything. You take your time and you figure it out. You're the commander-in-chief and this is what you were elected for....mak­e sure you have a good understanding of what those troops are going to be doing and some assurance that the additional troops will be successful­...you've got to ensure that you're putting this commitment on a solid base, and the base is a little soft right now. We've got a president in Afghanistan that had a rough election; a lot of corruption associated with the election; a lot of corruption in the government­....the president has to measure that; what kind of base is he putting this new strategy on because it isn't just what we do; what do the Afghans do..."

Amen.

[Altruth]

President Obama take your time because the same people that want you to make a quick decision will be the same people to talk c r a p if it is not the right decision. We all know how ungrateful people can be!

[keepemhonest]

They are also the same people who were CERTAIN the USA should ABANDON our troops in Afghanistan (in 2002) for OIL FIELDS.

[eahce]

How many more must die in these two current sensless wars? One a war based on blatant lies and the other an eight year old quagmire, we should have taken an recent history lesson from russia, I'm not sure what the mission or goal is in Afghanistan. We lost and took to many innocent lives and have bankrupted our country in the process, why? A majority of americans want these wars ended, why do our representitives not listen and continue to sacrifice our young men and women.

[yankee222]

Another cheap trick photo op.

Try something new Obama - like make a decision or keep a promise. Here's one you can start with:

From a videotaped interview, October 27, 2007

OBAMA: I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home, we will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank.

[Cavil]

Don't be a $chmʊck, the transition can't be done over night- didn't do it as pr0mised, he's a politician! But he's the best we had for a long time. The troops have served honorably, and we need to honor the fallen by not leaving until we can stabilize the region. Their sacrifice can't be in vain, I hope the President puts a speedy end to it as possible. G_d bless the troops.

[eahce]

Well instead of the transition of removing our trrops ten months in office Obama is considering adding thirty thousand more troops to our present quagmire. I believe it would be fair to say Obama was not true to his word on this subject. How about you?

[zootliberal]

try this one then, and let's all hear your cynical rejoinder:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/11/12/2009-11-12_my_solemn_surprise_meeting_with_the_president_at_my_friends_resting_place.html?page=1

[Cavil]

Right-on zootliberal.

[AleshiaMassey]

I wished someone a Happy Veterans day yesterday - he went off on a tirade - he was a LCMDR Navy - retired - I saw his POV..nothi­ng happy about it..Take your time Mr President

[Cavil]

Don't take it personally, a lot of those guys come with baggage. It's classy of you not to have said anything unkind back. You can wish me anything you like I promise not to blush.

[rockinrod]

One gets the feelings, just from looking at the photos and news footage, that this President really FEELS the enormous weight of responsibility for our veterans and their loved ones. I am incredibly proud of this man!

[PeppermintPatty08]

I am very proud that he is our President.

[Kateyras]

Take your time Sir, let's do this right. I trust you.

[GunnyJ]

This President is gaining a true understanding of the price of war and the fog of war. These factors will weigh heavy in his final decision. President Obama cares about American lives!

[spytheweb]

President Obama has to be touched by this. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan is over bring the soldiers home to their families.