With nod to veterans’ scandal, Obama pays Memorial Day tribute

May 26, 2014

With nod to veterans’ scandal, Obama pays Memorial Day tribute

Kalani Gordon 0 Comment The Baltimore Sun

President Barack Obama paid tribute on Monday to fallen U.S. military men and women during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery that highlighted a veterans’ care scandal that has engulfed his presidency in recent weeks.

: A balloon decorates a grave in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. President Obama marked Memorial Day and the 150th anniversary of the cemetery Monday by laying a wreath to honor the soldiers buried there since the Civil War. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: U.S. President Barack Obama places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

: Flags are draped from the amphitheater as U.S. President Barack Obama takes part in Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

: A World War II veteran attends Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

: Members of the public attend Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (L) greets family members amongst the graves in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: Karen Meredith pours a champagne toast with friends and family at her son U.S. Army Lieutenant Ken Ballard’s grave in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. This year Meredith is marking the tenth anniversary of Ballard’s death, which occured in Najaf, Iraq, on Memorial Day in 2004. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel (center L) stands with Karen Meredith (center R) at her son U.S. Army Lieutenant Ken Ballard’s grave in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. This year Meredith is marking the tenth anniversary of Ballard’s death, which occured in Najaf, Iraq, on Memorial Day in 2004. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: Visitors walk between graves in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. President Obama marked Memorial Day and the 150th anniversary of the cemetery Monday by laying a wreath to honor the soldiers buried there since the Civil War. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: U.S. President Barack Obama places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkowns at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day in Virginia May 26, 2014. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

: People visit graves in Section 60, where many casualties of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia May 26, 2014. President Obama marked Memorial Day and the 150th anniversary of the cemetery Monday by laying a wreath to honor the soldiers buried there since the Civil War. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

: President Barack Obama pauses after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., on May 26, 2014. (Drew Angerer/SIPA/Abaca Press/MCT)

: President Barack Obama and Major General Jeffrey Buchanan participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., on May 26, 2014. (Drew Angerer/SIPA/Abaca Press/MCT)

: President Barack Obama arrives for a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., on May 26, 2014. (Drew Angerer/SIPA/Abaca Press/MCT)

: US First Lady Michelle Obama arrives to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in honor of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2014. (Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack pauses while speaking during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: A member of the U.S. Navy plays “Taps” after U.S. President Barack Obama delivered remarks during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack pauses speaks during a Memorial Day event at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

: U.S. President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, May 26, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Obama returned to Washington the morning of May 26, after a surprise visit to Afghanistan to visit U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field. (Pool photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Just hours earlier, Obama returned from a surprise trip to Afghanistan, where he thanked troops for a mission that will conclude formally at the end of this year. The president noted that more had to be done to ensure that those who served in the armed forces abroad were treated well when they came home. – Reuters

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