Obama's Visit to Section 60 Reminds America of War Dead -- Again

Two weeks ago on October 29 President Obama made a middle-of-the-night visit to Dover Air Force base to greet the caskets of America’s most recent war dead returning from Afghanistan. The president’s visit, recorded on news video and by press photographers, thrust the sadness of the war onto the front page and reminded the public of the sacrifices made by so many.

Today, on Veterans’ Day, the president stepped away from the official events in Arlington Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater to walk with the First Lady among the rows of graves in Section 60.

Section 60 is the area reserved at Arlington as the final resting place for many soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.  There are often family members visiting graves or holding their own vigil. Some have called it the “saddest acre in America.”

The president, walking in the light rain without an umbrella, informally greeted family members or veterans who were making their own visit. Once again the news photographers clicked and the video rolled. And just as he did two weeks ago, Barack Obama guaranteed that those two wars, thousands of miles away, end up in the news again as a reminder to all the American people.

The president of the United States is followed everywhere by a press corps who are taking constant photos, videos and writing down notes about the Commander-in-Chief’s every comment, nod and tremble. And he knows that.

President Obama could’ve played the role simply—stayed at the Amphitheater behind a podium and away from the crowd. It is an easier role—much more presidential in the view of those who think leaders should be slightly distant. But Obama chose instead to take the constant and continuous coverage of him and use it to spotlight the ultimate sacrifice that so many of America’s servicemen and women have made—and the military families who carry those sacrifices as well.

This visit to Arlington, just like his visit to Dover earlier, will be an iconic image of Barack Obama’s presidency no matter his decision about the next steps in Afghanistan. These visits also offer a dramatic contrast with the president’s predecessor.

These moments when President Obama spotlights the war dead show us that somewhere the president is trying to not just change polices and laws, but to change a consciousness. It is almost like the president is saying, “we must all know about these sacrifices.” And if he is thinking that, he is right. No matter our views on the wars we must remember those who make these sacrifices.

But I have to wonder, does support for the military escalation in Afghanistan rise or fall when the president puts the war dead front and center in the media?

For me, it doesn’t matter. The president is right to spotlight these sacrifices no matter the impact on public perceptions.

President Obama was right to go to Dover and he was right to visit Section 60.

Thank you, again, Mr. President.

 

Follow Tom Matzzie on Twitter: www.twitter.com/tommatzzie

Comments

[RFBorjal]

President Obama is truly a president of the people, from the people, and for the people. He doesn't miss an opportunity to connect with ordinary citizens and touch their ordinary lives. That ensures that he doesn't get out of touch with the interest of the common folks.

His behavior is not surprising for a former community organizer.

[wanttruth]

Good post.

[JGRIV]

I was moved by the other article by reporter Meeks about his encounter with our President, and make no mistake he is OUR President. Fringes of both parties Democrat and Republican need to take a deep breath, step back and think about what they are saying and writing. This country has many many problems, but it also has just as many blessings. What if we took all of the energy that we expend demonizing each other and applied it to finding solutions. Solutions to healthcare, climate change, poverty and the other critical issues that we face locally as well as globally.
I have been a partisan political activist my entire career but I am losing my taste for the battle.

[citizen of the universe]

Why does Obama who is a civilian give more respect and thought to our soldiers than Bush who was a soldier?

[RFBorjal]

Bush was a soldier? A real soldier doesn't evade combat duties.

[JGRIV]

Two reasons -- 1) Bush dodged the war and didn't really fulfill his obligation to his country, and then had the nerve to showboat on an aircraft carrier and declare victory in a war that was far from over and 2) Bush banned coverage of our fallen sons and daughters returning to the final resting place how is that respectful or thoughtful?

[Lexie]

A week ago, I though Obama would be caught in the trap that Democrats are always caught in: Democrats can't end wars because they have internalized (along with the public) the lies that they are less competent at security; so they have to defer to a voracious appetite for military adventurism. Events of the last few days have made me slightly hopeful that Mr. Obama is actually taking the criticism of escalation in Afghanistan very seriously. We will see.

[Veritas78]

Barack Obama, my President, is a contemplative person. It is why I voted for him, and why I trust his judgment.

[FinallySaid]

President Obama has again displayed his unique and powerful courage to face painful realities head on, thereby comforting and reassuring Americans of his wisdom to lead. As an elected leader, he choses to walk among the bodies of soldiers killed and those who grieve them, knowing full well that he risks guttural and angry scorn that could come from ordering more to die in a now not so popular war. It is this kind of bravery and compassion, even though it might leave him politically as cold and soaked as that rainy day in Arlington National Cemetery, that leads me to trust whatever decisions he makes to insure the security of our country and perhaps even to send more of our loved ones to war.

[zitlight73]

If our gutless,clueless mainstream media would have shown our horribly maimed vets and done one interview a night with one and shown these rah, rah, sunshine patriot chickenhawks the real costs of their wars of aggression they would have ended years ago.

[YunekFlava]

"The president being an AA and living in the WH, reminds white America of Racism".
"Everytime people see the president, a man of slender build, most American realize how overweight they are".
"Everytime the president opens his mouth to speak, most white Americans realize how much better his diction is than theirs."

These comments are about as ridiculous as "Obama visit to Section 60's reminds America of war dead --again"

[bobduck]

Agreed. Thank you, Mr. President.

[LeeCalif]

Let's hope he ends both wars within months.

[Jubalh]

Ditto, Mr Mattzie. The number, the names, the faces, the headstones should be on the news every evening ala' the same manner "Nightline" used to count the days of the Iran prisoners.

[nivek]

I optimistically suggest President Obama is constructing his own exit strategy from Afghanistan. The visit to Dover, his Fort Hood address, and the solemn walk through Arlington weave a narrative of contemplation and resolve. Rejecting the various plans which have been worked -over, tweaked and touted since March because they present no clear exit strategy is a bold statement made by a President so publicly attacked as dithering and I applaud Obama for it. On the cusp of his Asia trip, it is revealed that our staunch ally, Japan, will no longer commit to even non-combat participation in the Afghan war. Whether that resolve is used to forge support for continuation and escalation of an unpopular war waits upon Karzai's inauguration to be revealed and that is a not so subtle a signal. I hope I am reading it correctly.

[RoyPiper]

Screw subtely. He is the first Democrat I ever voted for and the prime reason was because I want out of Iraq and Afghanistan. I am pissed he is dragging his feet. Just announce it!! He does not need political cover. People like me would back him ASAP. He lost me because he is waiting.

[iceage7]

because I want out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I think u were not listening.

On Iraq he said we will leave but leave responsibly. He already set out a date 2012. U just cant pack up and go..

Afgahnistan...he said this war is of neccessity..It was neglected for 8 years with no strategy or exit....Obama is now planning a strategy and exit.

geez..go back to the campaign speeches....quit rambling here

[citizen of the universe]

That military force we are all so proud of is made of human beings. I think the President when making a decison about Afghanistan should see and reflect on the real cost of war. It is not only the right thing to do, but the human thing to do. He has the power to stop it or escalate it, either way his factoring the human cost of war is a bonus and a benefit to the country. It's easy to say he's taking to long when your freedom to say those words from the comfort of your home is being provided by a soldier you will never know or even meet, but to a mother, father, or relative of a soldier I'm sure the serious thought is not only appreciated but welcomed.

[RoyPiper]

I am against many of Obama's policies, but I gotta give him credit for this kind of thing and for allowing a few more pictures of coffins, etc. It is more honest than what came before.

[CHARLESTHETENTH]

Just plain Hypocrisy...(Our thoughts & prayers go out to all those families who lost Sons & Daughters....Mom's & Dads in this Conflict etc...)...to hear this from Leaders..the very same people who are responsibe for all those lost lives makes you wonder whether they really give it a second thought and whether they make any attempt at prayer. At the end of the day the only one's that remember and pray are the families of the fallen.... Obama has come face to face with the reality of War by seeing the fallen return home..he must question the sense in all of this and why we continue to fight an unnecessary War...a War that will bring home more fallen soldiers...not to protect our National Security but to prop up a corrupt Afghan government and try to destroy an elusive enemy that will keep regenerating itself until we can take no more. The US has already lost more in personal sacrifice than what could be inflicted by any terrorist act upon our soil. We will continue to lose many more brave men & women to a cause that is doomed to failure and one that many question is it worth the heavy price we have to bare?

[schatsie]

Propping up a corrupt government is what we have done in the past....Read The Economic Hit Man for me and tell me if it is as bad as i think it is..... I hope Obama gives that due consideration....

[unwashedmasses]

Don't overlook these traits in Barack Obama.

IMO, they had a lot to do with his Nobel Prize for Peace.