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Obama Salutes Fallen Troops

Hosts breakfast, lays wreath at Arlington

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 25, 2009 12:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama marked Memorial Day with tributes to the military and fallen troops, the AP reports. He began the day with a breakfast for those who had lost loved ones in the military; afterward, he visited Arlington National Cemetery for the traditional laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, calling the troops “the best of America” for their willingness to risk their lives for people they don’t know.

The president sent flowers to memorials for both Confederate troops and blacks who fought for the Union in the Civil War in an effort to smooth potential controversy. He called on Americans "wherever you are, whoever you are with, whatever you are doing, to pause in national unity at 3 o’clock this afternoon,” the Hill reports.

President Barack Obama delivers his remarks at the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Commemoration, Monday, May 25, 2009, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama, riding inside his presidential limousine, drives past graves as he departs Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, May 25, 2009, on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama speaks at a Memorial Day ceremony, Monday, May 25, 2009, Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Honor Guard salute during the playing of taps as President Obama attends a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen bow their heads during the invocation of a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama, right, walks behind Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, left, before delivering remarks at the Arlington National Cemetery. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Monday, May 25, 2009, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. during a Memorial Day ceremony. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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President places wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington

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Calls for fairer America, invokes TR's 'New Nationalism'

Obama to GOP: Keep Your Word on Taxes

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'The Old Guard' posts photos on Facebook

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Arlington National Cemetery • speech • Memorial Day • President Obama • Tomb of the Unknowns

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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Obama Speech Rained Out

With president in Illinois, Biden lays wreath at Arlington

Vets Less Likely to Approve of Job Obama's Doing

President places wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington

Obama Speech Echoes Teddy Roosevelt

Calls for fairer America, invokes TR's 'New Nationalism'

Obama to GOP: Keep Your Word on Taxes

President chides Republicans on payroll taxes

Tomb of Unknown Soldier Guarded During Hurricane

'The Old Guard' posts photos on Facebook

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?