Grace Palo
WMAL.com
ARLINGTON — (WMAL) President Barack Obama will be participating in his last wreath-laying ceremony today at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Veterans Day.
It is the 63rd annual National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery, in which they are ‘honoring the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. armed forces during war and peacetime’. There will be a Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, immediately followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the memorial amphitheater.
“It is important to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of those who have served in any form of military services and have given a large part of their lives to the service of this country,” Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Morgan, battalion commander for the fourth battalion told WMAL.
The President of the United States traditionally lays a wreath at about 11 o’clock to commemorate Veterans Day, which is followed by an immediate observance where both he and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs give an address.
The wreath-laying ceremony is completely open to the public, with no tickets being needed, but space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Individuals will be required to go through a security screening process to gain access to the ceremony as well.
Remember Your History
Veterans Day is celebrated annually on November 11 to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces as well as those who have fallen defending the country. This will be the first Veterans Day to take place after the historic ban on women participating in ground combat was lifted.
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