On Monday, May 27th, President Biden paid tribute to the fallen soldiers at the 156th Memorial Day ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery in the outskirts of Washington DC. Accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, President Biden laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the solemn ceremony.
In his address at the outdoor theater in the cemetery, President Biden spoke about honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the country. He emphasized the shared commitment to the ideals of the United States, stating that each individual is a part of the honor chain since the founding of the nation.
President Biden acknowledged the sacrifices made for freedom throughout history, emphasizing that democracy is not just a form of government but the essence of America’s soul. He expressed gratitude towards the fallen and thanked the veterans, survivors, and families present at the ceremony.
The Memorial Day ceremony was part of President Biden’s ongoing efforts to support current and former military personnel. This event followed his commencement address at West Point Military Academy where he underscored the importance of defending democracy.
Earlier in the day, President Biden hosted a breakfast at the White House in honor of Memorial Day, attended by government officials, military leaders, veterans, and Gold Star families, who are relatives of fallen soldiers. President Biden also marked the ninth anniversary of his son Beau Biden’s passing, who served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware National Guard.
Beau Biden succumbed to glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. President Biden linked his son’s illness to potential exposure to military burn pits in Iraq. He signed the bipartisan PACT Act in 2022 to expand healthcare benefits for millions of veterans who had been exposed to burn pits.
President Biden highlighted other legislation aimed at assisting veterans and their families. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of honoring the sacrifices of heroes and defending the democracy they fought for, emphasizing that the people are America’s greatest strategic asset.
President Biden is scheduled to travel to France next week to participate in the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day. He is expected to deliver a significant speech highlighting the heroism of the Allied forces in World War II and the current threats facing democracy.
On Memorial Day at Arlington Cemetery, each grave was adorned with a small American flag, meticulously placed near the headstone by the 1,500 soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard.” Designated as the official Army ceremonial unit in 1948, the regiment carries out the tradition of “Flag In” on the eve of Memorial Day every year to honor the fallen soldiers.