Veterans
GalleryBiden honors those who served at a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Stars and Stripes
November 11, 2024
President Joe Biden, left, lays a wreath during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
President Joe Biden honors the service of the men and women of the U.S. military by laying a wreath during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Monday morning.
Also in attendance were Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. It was the first public appearance Biden and Harris made together since last week’s presidential election.
“Today, we honor generations of America’s veterans — patriots who have stood on the frontlines of freedom and kept the light of liberty shining bright around the world. Just as they have kept the ultimate faith in our Nation, we must keep ultimate faith in them,” Biden said in a White House statement released last week.
Attendees look on during the Presentation of the Colors at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
Attendees look on during the Presentation of the Colors at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris look on during a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
John S. Handzuk, President of the Fleet Reserve Association, speaks as President Joe Biden, left, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, look on at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
Attendees bow their heads as President Joe Biden speaks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
An attendee salutes at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
President Joe Biden, top center, attends the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP)
President Joe Biden speaks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (Ben Curtis/AP)
This was the 71st annual National Veterans Day Observance at the cemetery, and it was hosted by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. The United States Marine Band and the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters performed at the Memorial Amphitheater, and the national observance was held inside the amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans organizations and remarks from dignitaries.
Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for over 400,000 veterans and their eligible dependents. Service members from every one of America’s major wars are buried on the grounds of the cemetery, reflecting the history of the nation.