![Advertisement](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/images/advertisement.gif)
Obama honors sacrifice made by nation’s vets
Posted : Sunday Nov 11, 2012 16:39:48 EST
WASHINGTON — President Obama paid tribute at a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to “the heroes over the generations who have served this country of ours with distinction.”
He said the wreath he laid earlier at Tomb of the Unknowns was intended to remember every service member who has worn a uniform and served the nation.
In a speech at the Memorial Amphitheater during the brisk, sunny morning, Obama said America will never forget the sacrifice made by its veterans and their families.
“No ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service,” the president said, adding that the country must commit every day “to serving you as well as you’ve served us.”
He spoke of the Sept. 11 generation, “who stepped forward when the Towers fell, and in the years since have stepped into history, writing one of the greatest chapters in military service our country has ever known. You’ve toppled a dictator and battled an insurgency in Iraq. You pushed back the Taliban and decimated al-Qaida in Afghanistan. You delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.”
Obama also said this was the first Veterans Day in a decade with no American troops fighting and dying in Iraq, and that a decade of war in Afghanistan is coming to a close.
Over the next few years, he said, more than 1 million service members will make the transition to civilian life. As they come home, Obama urged their fellow citizens to always be there for them and their families.
Later, the president and his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, greeted families in the cemetery’s Section 60, home to graves of service members killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Leave a Comment
![Advertisement](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/images/advertisement.gif)
Most Viewed Stories
- Lieutenant journeys back from the dead
- Petraeus quits over extramarital affair
- Aide: 1-star in sex case threatened to kill me
- 7 SEALs punished for secrecy breach
- 7 SEALs punished for secrecy breach
- Sailor gets no punishment for anti-Romney post
- Mom: My son will pay for Marine-egging incident
- 10 airmen start 1st permanent mission to Poland
- 2 plead guilty in military recruiting scheme
- Military Times Poll: Romney bests Obama, 2-1
- Female officers say 1-star asked for nude pics
Contests and Promotions
![promo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/contests/turfwars/images/football.jpg)
Win a Trip for Two to Hawaii!
Play every week for great prizes!
Enter to win today!
![promo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/contests/fitness/images/treadmill-promo-spot.gif)
Win a Nautilus® T516 Treadmill!
Enter to win today!
Click Here To Enter.
2012 Service Members Of The Year
SMOY
Find out more about the 2012 Service Members of the Year Event
Free Stickers
![promo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/static/modules/contests/images/anim_sticker2.gif)
![Advertisement](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121112005327im_/http://www.militarytimes.com/images/advertisement.gif)
MIl-MALL
Browse and buy some of the awesome products we have at Mil-mall.com
-
INTEGRATED ZOMBIE ERADICATION AND CONTAINMENT COMMAND “CONTRACT ZOMBIE HUNTER” CHALLENGE COIN Price: $12.00
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
We Support Our Troops Dog Tag Bottle Opener
Price: $10.00
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
Camo BBQ Apron and Pot Holder
Price: $34.00
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
Take No Prisoners Coin
Price: $5.00
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
"Military Brats" Comic Book
Price: $8.95Sale!$4.95
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
How to Land a Top Paying Federal Job – 2nd Edition
Price: $24.95
Add to Cart | See More Products! -
Armor of God Coin
Price: $9.50
Add to Cart | See More Products!
Military Discounts
Save on your purchases!
In honor of your military service, you can find regular and name brand products at a special discount.