President Biden experienced an embarrassing moment of confusion at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he stumbled through a Veterans Day service.
The 80-year-old president took several steps in the wrong direction after laying the wreath and required stage directions from an Arlington honor guard before being pointed to his place next to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Biden then delivered a speech about the “ultimate sacrifice” of American troops, acknowledging escalating global tensions while praising how “Americans stand guard around the world, often at great personal risk.”
“War and conflict, death and loss are not relics of our American history – they are part of our American history.”
As Biden spoke, hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators streamed into his Delaware mansion to protest U.S. support for Israel in the Middle East conflict.
After the ceremonial wreath-laying ceremony, Biden appeared to need direction from a military officer as he took steps in the wrong direction
Biden, 80, paid respect to the fallen soldiers during the service, saying: “War and conflict, death and loss are not relics of our American history – they are part of American history.”
The ceremonial service was also attended by (LR) Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris and First Lady Jill Biden
As Biden spoke in Arlington, hundreds of pro-Palestine supporters streamed into his Delaware mansion and criticized U.S. support for Israel as the conflict escalates in the Middle East
Biden was joined at Arlington National Cemetary by Harris, First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff to celebrate military service.
Speaking to members of the armed forces and Gold Star families, Biden began: “Here in Arlington lie heroes who gave what President Lincoln called ‘the last full measure of devotion.’
“They died over the last 20 years not only at Gettysburg or at Flanders Field on the beaches of Normandy, but also in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq.”
“Here lie hundreds of graves from recent conflicts.” “Hundreds of patriots gave their best and each of them left behind a family that lives every day with their pain and absence.”
He added that veterans are the “steel backbone of this nation” and recounted famous battles where soldiers were bound “in a chain of honor that dates back to our founding days.”
“Everyone is bound by a sacred oath to support and defend it.” “Not a place, not a person, not a president, but an idea to defend an idea unlike any other in the history of mankind,” said he.
“That idea is the United States of America.”
President Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during Veterans Day celebrations
BREAKING: Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters are reportedly marching toward President Joe Biden’s home in Delaware as they accuse him of genocide.
“President Biden, you can’t hide! We accuse you of genocide!” shouted the angry mob.
The protest is perfect since Biden… pic.twitter.com/QdJv7mzazp
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 11, 2023
Biden unveiled a map from his jacket that he said he has carried since he was vice president, listing an updated count of U.S. soldiers who have died in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Today there are 7,036,” he said. “7,036 fallen angels who lost their lives in these conflicts.”
“On this day of remembrance, we honor their legacy and their sacrifice, their duty and their honor to their country.”
Saturday’s service was the 70th annual National Veterans Day commemoration in Arlington and followed a private reception in the East Room of the White House for veterans and military officials.
At the same time as his comments, Biden’s mansion in Delaware became the subject of major protests over the war in the Middle East.
Dozens of Palestinian flags flew outside his sprawling compound, alongside signs calling for an end to U.S. funding of Israel after the war-torn country’s retaliatory strikes against Hamas killed at least 11,000 people in Gaza.
The president acknowledged escalating global tensions in his speech, adding: “Americans stand guard around the world, often at great personal risk.”
Saturday’s service was the 70th annual National Veterans Day celebration at Arlington National Cemetary
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris listen to the national anthem during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
On Monday, Biden also spoke about the role of American military power around the world and urged Americans to honor the troops defending democracy as it is “at risk here at home and around the world.”
“What we do now and how we honor the memory of the fallen will determine whether democracy will last or not,” he said.
Biden also appeared to address growing fears that his likely 2024 election rival Donald Trump might again challenge the results of an election, arguing: “Democracy thrives when the infrastructure of democracy is strong.”
The political theme extended to his speech Saturday in Arlington, where he emphasized the importance of the “right to a free, fair and convenient election.”
“We were based on one idea, the idea of freedom and opportunity for all,” Biden continued.
“We have never fully realized the aspirations of our founding,” he argued, adding that each “generation has opened the door a little wider.”