Obama, Panetta Attend Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. Obama urged all Americans to remember those who have sacrificed for the nation and to support the surviving family members of fallen service members. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • President Barack Obama pauses for a moment of silence after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • An Army bugler plays taps as President Barack Obama stands for a moment of silence during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. The bugler is assigned to the U.S. Army Band. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Audience members listen to remarks made at the during the Memorial Day observance ceremony near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, center, First Lady Michele Obama, far left, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, far right, pause for taps during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. Also in attendance were Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, and Coast Guard Vice Adm. John P. Currier, vice commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • President Barack Obama, center, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, second from right, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, far right, pause while the national anthem is played during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Audience members stand as the national anthem is played during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at the Amphitheatre at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A girl holds a flag and flowers during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at the Amphitheatre at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joel Lemaistre
  • Navy sailors salute during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. Panetta urged all Americans to remember and honor the sacrifice of U.S. service members who died in the nation's wars. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. Obama urged all Americans to remember those who sacrificed for the country and to help service members still feeling the effects of war. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. flags stand in front of the graves of fallen service members on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta stops to visit the grave of a fallen service member during the Memorial Day observance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A U.S. flag stands in front of the grave of fallen service member on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Va., May 28, 2012. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen