CELEBRITY GUESTS

Retired Army Gen. Colin Powell, second from left, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State, joins entertainers A.J. Cook, far left, Katherine Jenkins, third left, Lionel Richie, Kelli O'Hara, Joe Mantegna and Blythe Danner on stage at the National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

ANNUAL OBSERVANCE

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III, and Vice President Joe Biden - the principals at the annual Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., - salute and join in the singing of the national anthem, May 31, 2010. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

WREATH LAYING

Vice President Joe Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 31, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Vice President Joe Biden places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 31, 2010. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

SOLEMN SALUTE

Vice President Joe Biden, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Karl R. Horst, commander of the Military District of Washington and the Joint Force Headquarters, National Capitol Region, salute at the playing of Taps by the lone buglar during Memorial Day ceremonies, at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 31, 2010. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

CEREMONY HOST

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III delivers remarks at the annual Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 31, 2010. Lynn, who hosted the ceremonies, concluded by introducing Vice President Joe Biden, the featured speaker. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

PERSONAL CONDOLENCES

Before leaving Arlington National Cemetery, Va., after speaking at the annual Memorial Day Observance, May 31, 2010, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill stopped by Section 60 - where some of our nation's most recently fallen heroes lie - to talk with family members and offer personal condolences. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

CHICAGO PARADE

Alison Ruble with the USO of Illinois sIngs the National Anthem at the 2010 Chicago Memorial Day Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony held at Daley Plaza, Chicago, May 29, 2010. The theme of the 2010 Chicago Memorial Day Parade, one of the largest parades in the nation, was “Honoring Our Military Families.” Illinois National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs