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President Obama marks Memorial Day and says troops are coming home President Obama marks Memorial Day and says troops are coming home
(35 minutes later)
President Barack Obama led a sombre Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday, marking “a pivotal moment” in the US mission to Afghanistan and promising: "Our troops are coming home."President Barack Obama led a sombre Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Monday, marking “a pivotal moment” in the US mission to Afghanistan and promising: "Our troops are coming home."
Obama, just back from a surprise 33-hour trip to visit troops at Bagram air base, appeared at the cemetery's amphitheatre to speak after carrying out the tradition of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.Obama, just back from a surprise 33-hour trip to visit troops at Bagram air base, appeared at the cemetery's amphitheatre to speak after carrying out the tradition of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"Everything that we hold precious in this country was made possible by Americans who gave their all," he said."Everything that we hold precious in this country was made possible by Americans who gave their all," he said.
Around 32,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan. Obama made clear in his speech there on Sunday that he intends to leave a small contingent in Afghanistan after the end of this year, when the combat mission is set to wrap up. He did not, however, say how many troops would remain.Around 32,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan. Obama made clear in his speech there on Sunday that he intends to leave a small contingent in Afghanistan after the end of this year, when the combat mission is set to wrap up. He did not, however, say how many troops would remain.
On Monday, amid a brewing scandal involving the Department of Veterans Affairs, Obama pledged to care for the country's veterans and their families.On Monday, amid a brewing scandal involving the Department of Veterans Affairs, Obama pledged to care for the country's veterans and their families.
The president hinted at the spiralling care-delay scandal unfolding at VA facilities across the nation after a whistleblower alleged that officials manipulated data and created “secret wait lists” to avoid breaching internal rules. He said the country must "do more" for its veterans. The president hinted at the spiralling care-delay scandal unfolding at VA facilities across the nation after a whistleblower alleged that officials manipulated data and created “secret wait lists” to avoid breaching internal rules. He said the country must "do more to keep faith with our veterans and their families".
"These Americans have done their duty, they ask nothing more than that our country does ours, now and for decades to come," Obama said."These Americans have done their duty, they ask nothing more than that our country does ours, now and for decades to come," Obama said.
The embattled VA secretary, Eric Shinseki, was in the audience at the cemetery.The embattled VA secretary, Eric Shinseki, was in the audience at the cemetery.
The secretary of defence, Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam war veteran, spoke before Obama, noting the approach of both the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy and the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan.The secretary of defence, Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam war veteran, spoke before Obama, noting the approach of both the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy and the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan.
"Today as we conclude 13 years of war, the longest in our history," Hagel said, “America is approaching another period of transition.”"Today as we conclude 13 years of war, the longest in our history," Hagel said, “America is approaching another period of transition.”
On Sunday, Obama thanked troops still serving on the ground in Afghanistan.On Sunday, Obama thanked troops still serving on the ground in Afghanistan.
"I’m here on a single mission and that is to thank you for your extraordinary service," he said, speaking to a rally of roughly 3,000 troops. It was Obama's fourth visit to Afghanistan but his first since being re-elected in 2012."I’m here on a single mission and that is to thank you for your extraordinary service," he said, speaking to a rally of roughly 3,000 troops. It was Obama's fourth visit to Afghanistan but his first since being re-elected in 2012.
The first military burials took place at Arlington National Cemetery just over 150 years ago, in May 1864. Since then, the cemetery has been the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families.The first military burials took place at Arlington National Cemetery just over 150 years ago, in May 1864. Since then, the cemetery has been the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans and their families.
Among the notable servicemen and leaders buried there are former US presidents William H Taft and his wife, Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft, and John F Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, and brothers Robert F Kennedy and Edward M Kennedy.Among the notable servicemen and leaders buried there are former US presidents William H Taft and his wife, Helen Herron “Nellie” Taft, and John F Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, and brothers Robert F Kennedy and Edward M Kennedy.