Obama Veterans Day Speech: President Speaks At Arlington National Cemetery (VIDEO)

By MARK S. SMITH, ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP) ARLINGTON, Va. — President Barack Obama marked Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama stood in silence as taps was played outside the tomb on a sunny but chilly autumn morning. Mrs. Obama and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki joined other dignitaries watching from one side.

With the aid of an honor guard, Obama placed the floral wreath on a pedestal in front of the marble tomb, then stood hand over his heart as a bugler played taps. A bell tolled and flags fluttered.

Obama was to speak at the observance before heading to San Diego for a holiday basketball game aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. The first-ever Carrier Classic pits Michigan State against No. 1 North Carolina on board the ship docked in San Diego.

In an essay in Friday's San Diego Union-Tribune, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill wrote that "because of the incredible courage of the 9-11 generation, the tide of war is receding and America is more secure than a decade ago."

"But as our service members return, many are discovering a new battlefield as they leave the military and search for civilian employment opportunities."

They made a pitch for Obama's proposal to help unemployed veterans. The measure, which would provide special tax incentives to companies that hire veterans, passed the Senate on Thursday 95-0.

"We're taking steps to make the job search easier for veterans," the Bidens wrote. They urged the House to "act now" and join the Senate in passing the bill, once part of Obama's larger jobs proposal.

Comments

[Patriot28]

07:39 AM on 11/12/2011

I bet Obama choked on every word.

He should be appreciative of the Veterans because if they hadn't fought and died for our freedom, he would never have been president, a position of which he has failed.

[vmf211]

02:13 AM on 11/12/2011

To bad that mayor who blew off Veternas day to go celebrate with and for the OWS folks instead of the Vets who put their lives on the line for this country.

I gald at least Obama said something nice to them.

[arianaart]

10:14 PM on 11/11/2011

“Thank you to all those that have served, and our serving!

[Justin Parker]

08:19 PM on 11/11/2011

I was there :) it was a wonderful ceremony!

[saint bernard mom]

07:02 PM on 11/11/2011

To all who have served or are serving

THANKS & WELCOME HOME!

[vmf211]

02:14 AM on 11/12/2011

THANKS AND GOD BLESS ALL OUR MILITARY AND OUR VETS !

[Ranger Jones]

05:43 PM on 11/11/2011

No matter who you are, you're a 99%'er. 1% of our population are on the line protecting the freedoms of all other 99%. They don't protest. They don't march against things they're not comfortable with. They hold that wall 24/365 to uphold anyone else rights to march, protest, and utilize the freedoms we're blessed to have. We have ONE day to say thanks to ALL who have died, and continue to keep us free. God Bless Veterans.

[joespenthouse]

05:28 PM on 11/11/2011

I am very surprised that Michelle was not there making smart ass remarks this time,as she has done before and got caught.She was caught saying "all this for a f....n flag" at an earlier ceremony this year. There both a bunch of hypocrits,who should be put on a plane and sent to the furthest reaches of the earth. Out of sight out of mind.I am truly amazed that he has not asked for the sign of the beast be printed on our foreheads. I,m a Vet and I thank all who have served and are now serving to protect our constitution and our freedoms,that are being threatened by obama and his criminals in our White House.

[Barnie1326]

05:56 PM on 11/11/2011

Turn off fox "news" joe....there's a whole world out there that they are hiding from you

[joespenthouse]

06:21 PM on 11/11/2011

Ya Buddy ^^%%#&$#!

[vmf211]

02:15 AM on 11/12/2011

Where on M$L$D and those L00ns

[iamwomanofcolor]

07:03 PM on 11/11/2011

ya really need to get off this site because you belong elsewhere... thanks for serving our country and have a great life!!! Yeah Go Obama/Biden 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! President Obama and the First Lady are incredible and awesome and love this country much more than you - or you wouldn't be such a dreadful hater..........

[joespenthouse]

08:27 PM on 11/11/2011

There the most hedious people on this planet and you know it,the only reason he got elected is because of minorities and people of color,look at the statistics,and since when is the site yours.You got more conservative people on here that are more well educated and smarter then anyone who thinks the obamas amount to anything.When a president is surrounded with words like treason,fraud,deceiver,liar and well I lowered myself enough just replying to you,you have no clue and fit in that 68%,by the book.

[Kyle McDaniel]

05:08 PM on 11/11/2011

How come the Huffpo is not reporting on the Veterans March to Restore the Constitution that was held today in DC?

[joespenthouse]

06:26 PM on 11/11/2011

Kyle, Thats a great question,what did happen and it sounds like the media is once again protecting idiot stick,that includes FOX. Maybe they don,t want to let him know that 68% of voters think he,s a fraud.and nobody cares about him anyway.

[1ccc1]

05:08 PM on 11/11/2011

Huf moderators, you have not published Either of my posts. I rewrote the first, though Both were absolutely in guidelines. I have valid points on this topic. You should not be censoring this way. I thought this media was not biased but maybe I'm wrong. Please post my comment as below -

* This strikes me as nonsense. He can't be so grateful to veterans as he simultaneously promotes a bogus 'war on terror' chasing impossible rogues in Afghanistan and elsewhere, which a futile effort that creates more death and hate. He clearly wants more war so his 'defense' contractor campaign donors don't lose out on grabbing more trillions for fake war and putting in a surveillance state, here. It's a sham to 'honor' veterans when he is for crony war profits. Veterans deserve more, and troops deserve to come home, now. That would really be 'honoring' veterans.
The Only man that will stop the wall street corporatism And bogus 'wars' and restore the rights O has taken from us, is also a veteran and therefore truly speaks for them -
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/11/foreign-policy-experts-agree-with-ron-pauls-controversial-foreign-policy/

[arianaart]

10:16 PM on 11/11/2011

" I thought this media was not biased but maybe I'm wrong."

Yes~~you are wrong!

[Rachel Wells]

04:35 PM on 11/11/2011

once again he never wastes an opportunity for his agenda.. I shall pass on his 'tribute' to himself.

[Barnie1326]

04:59 PM on 11/11/2011

So if you're admitting you did not watch his speech....then why do you feel qualified to comment on it?

[luminafitness]

05:07 PM on 11/11/2011

It's the phish like you who never pass on an opportunity to bash out your Obama hate agenda. That you chose the Veterans Day thread to carry it out, sullies the honor of our Veterans.

The ugliness of the right-wing knows no bounds.

[1ccc1]

05:43 PM on 11/11/2011

he expanded the war in Afghanistan. He is angling for war in Iran through the media. He's only getting out of Iraq due to a legal agreement made by others that he Must adhere to. Drones. Illegal executions. Gitmo open. Walls street cabinet. GE. Veterans deserve a real leader who will stop the bogus 'wars' of obam.
Paul, a Real anti-war leader-
http://abc­news.go.co­m/blogs/po­litics/201­1/11/forei­gn-policy-­experts-ag­ree-with-r­on-pauls-c­ontroversi­al-foreign­-policy/

[Mr MOTO]

02:48 PM on 11/11/2011

Can you say bi-partisan finally: "In the run-up to Veterans Day, the addition was a perfect prescripti­on for Democrats, who have fought all year for these sorts of job training programs, and Republican­s, who were able to support these sorts of ideas in an effort to help returning troops. Senate Republican­s praised Democrats for finding a formula that both sides can agree to after months of partisan bickering.­"

TheHill

[Mr MOTO]

02:42 PM on 11/11/2011

"When the bill [H.R. 674] reached the Senate, an agreement was struck to add a new section to the bill that expands federal government help for veterans looking for work, the so-called "Vow to Hire Heroes" provision. The language adds new funding for veterans' training programs and a tax credit of up to $5,600 per hire for companies that hire veterans, and up to $9,600 per hire when a veteran with a long-term disability is hired."

TheHill.com

[joespenthouse]

08:47 PM on 11/11/2011

And it,s all political garbage coming out of the White House because thats all that can come from within,he takes praise for things he had nothing to do with,quit defending this morron that thinks we have 57 states,looses our credit rating,threatens the elderly,the veterans that he put a big show for today.If the people that think that we the veterans who fought for this country are about to let someone to the likes of obama destroy our country is wrong.No socialism or communism here,the people that voted for obama were the free loaders in this country who survive on the liberal agenda of keeping them barefooted and poor,if i have to name them I will but you know who you are.

[SirRealDeal]

02:42 PM on 11/11/2011

Many of have have family and friends that are vets. Take a moment to thank them.

[proudamericangirl]

02:35 PM on 11/11/2011

They Did Their Share
On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.
Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;
In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.
Some came back; some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.
No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.
Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.
We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say "thank you" to every wearer.
By Joanna Fuchs

Thank you President Obama & 1st Lady Michelle Obama for doing (not just talking about) everything possible for our well deserving brave heroes as they finally come back home.

Much Love, Peace & Unity!

p.s.
How about all you H8trs honor our troops, you know the ones that have given so much for you by just given it a rest for at least 1 day. Not too much to ask now is it…

[iamwomanofcolor]

03:08 PM on 11/11/2011

wonderful post...and yes thank you to each and every woman and man who puts on a uniform to defend this country with deep honor and pride...and yes thank you President and First Lady Obama for all your efforts on behalf of our service woman and men... and thank you proudamericangirl for your poetic thoughts and sentiments... you are fanned and faved for sure!!!!

[proudamericangirl]

03:59 PM on 11/11/2011

Thank you!

[Freedom and Peace]

02:29 PM on 11/11/2011

STOP THE KILLINGS
STOP THE BOMBINGS
STOP CREATING TERRORISTS
END ALL THE WARS
BRING ALL THE TROOPS HOME

and this is how...

http://youtu.be/VE30TH6Y7cI