Earlier today, Barack Obama delivered his Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where he praised veterans and hailed those who gave the biggest sacrifice of all; their life. He centered his speech around the war in Afghanistan and reflected on the progress made because of these service members.
In reference to the war in Afghanistan, Obama urged Americans to look forward, but never forget those who fought for their country over the past decade’s conflict. With the conclusion of the Iraq war in December 2011, the death toll of American troops was 4,400, twice as high as the current figures obtained by the Pentagon for Afghanistan at 2,093 according to The Los Angeles Times. Though it is winding down, Obama advised Americans to recognize the 60,000 courageous U.S. troops still fighting in Afghanistan, and the sacrifice they are making. While the fullness of that sacrifice is hard to grasp, Obama reiterated the importance of appreciating and recognizing the efforts of the U.S. troops.
"Today, just steps from where these brave Americans lie in eternal peace, we declare, as a proud and grateful nation, that their sacrifice will never be forgotten," Obama said according to Reuters. He continued, “and just as we honor them, we hold their families close. Because for the parents who lose a child; for the husbands and wives who lose a partner; for the children who lose a parent, every loss is devastating. And for those of us who bear the solemn responsibility of sending these men and women into harm's way, we know the consequences all too well."
After his speech, Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visited Section 60 of the cemetery, as is tradition since his first presidency, in remembrance of those most recently fallen.