Obama observes Memorial Day at Arlington cemetery

[onehandle]

Source: AP



WASHINGTON – Barack Obama marked his first Memorial Day as president on Monday, saluting the men and women of America's fighting forces, both living and dead, as "the best of America." The president spoke after participating in a solemn holiday tradition, laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, the burial ground for American veterans dating to the Revolutionary War.

In brief remarks after laying the wreath and observing a moment of silence, Obama said he wondered why the country's fallen warriors felt a sense of duty and answered the call to serve, knowing they might have to make the ultimate sacrifice. "Why in an age when so many have acted only in pursuit of narrowest self-interest have the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines of this generation volunteered all that they have on behalf of others," he said. "Why have they been willing to bear the heaviest burden?"

"Whatever it is, they felt some tug. They answered a call. They said 'I'll go.' That is why they are the best of America," Obama said. "That is what separates them from those who have not served in uniform, their extraordinary willingness to risk their lives for people they never met."

The president also sought to dodge a racial controversy the holiday, sending wreaths to a monument for Confederate soldiers and a memorial honoring more than 200,000 blacks who fought for the Union during the Civil War.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090525/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_memorial_day

[Aviation Pro]

1. Now that's a Commander in Chief.....

...how's that dog shit picking up duty working for ya, Two Shoes?

[Baby Snooks]

2. And then...

Our president is playing golf at the moment. Not really something you would expect a president to do on Memorial Day.