Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Members of the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard participate in the Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns and honored America's military men and women who gave their lives serving their country. It included speeches by President Bush, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • A war veteran renders honors as troops march flags into the Arlington Cemetery amphitheater before a Memorial Day rememberance ceremony in honor of American military men and women who lost their lives in the service of their nation, May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Office 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
  • President George W. Bush and a U.S. Army soldier of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," place a wreath in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns as part of a Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
  • President George W. Bush, left, and Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., Military District of Washington commander, take part in a Memorial Day commemoration wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates speaks during a Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
  • President Bush delivers a Memorial Day address in the Tomb of the Unknowns amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Seated behind the commander in chief are Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, left, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., Military District of Washington commander. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III
  • President George W. Bush speaks during a Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • President George W. Bush speaks during a Memorial Day commemoration in the Arlington National Cemetery amphitheater, May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
  • President Bush pauses during during a speech as Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates applaud during a Memorial Day ceremony in the Arlington National Cemetery amphitheater, May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
  • From left: Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, President George W. Bush, Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., commanding general, Military District of Washington, Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake and Army Col. David Moran, Military District of Washington chaplain, render honors during the playing of Taps at the conclusion of the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2008. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
  • The official party bows their head as Army Chaplain Col. Thomas M. Durham prays at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2008. From left is Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, President Georger W. Bush, Army Maj. Gen. Richard J. Rowe Jr., Military District of Washington commanding general, and John C. Metzler Jr., the cemetery superintendent. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III