Obama Honors Oldest Living WWII Vet

Lays wreath at Arlington on this Veterans Day
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 11, 2013 12:43 PM CST
Obama Honors Oldest Living WWII Vet
President Barack Obama and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, right, lower their heads after the president placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Nov. 11, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Obama today paid tribute to those who have served in the nation's military, including one of the nation's oldest veterans, 107-year-old Richard Overton. "This is the life of one American veteran, living proud and strong in the land he helped keep free," Obama said during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Overton rose slowly and stood to loud applause when Obama mentioned his name, then stood a second time at the president's request and drew more applause.

He was among hundreds attending the outdoor ceremony on a crisp, sun-splashed Veteran's Day. Earlier, Overton and other veterans attended a breakfast at the White House, and Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Obama used his remarks to remind the nation that thousands of service members are still at war in Afghanistan. Soon, "the longest war in America's history will end," Obama declared. As the 12-year-old war draws down, Obama said the nation has a responsibility to ensure that the returning troops are the "best cared-for and best respected veterans in the world." (More Barack Obama stories.)

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