PHOTOS The President at Arlington Cemetery

[Jackeens]

President Barack Obama made an unscheduled stop at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday to pay respects to those who have received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. He was joined by several living recipients of the medal. March 25 of each year is National Medal of Honor Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Ybxu6Q0ac


1

(President Barack Obama shakes hands with Medal of Honor recipient Bob Howard)

2

(President Barack Obama assists National Medal of Honor recipient John Finn, 99, as they and other recipients celebrate National Medal of Honor Day by placing a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknowns)

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

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(Medal of Honor recipient Thomas Hudner prepares to hug President Barack Obama)

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www.daylife.com

[Thrill]

1. Wow Great Photos. Wonder what he said while holding the President's hand??

[pink-o]

2. Just amazing, Jackeens!

My grandfather is buried in Arlington; I was just there last May and it's pretty awe-inspiring. Our Prez is just the classiest person in the room, as usual!

[Jackeens]

10. Hey pink-o

I was in Arlington in January, what an extraordinary place - and what a beautiful resting place for your grandfather.

[RT Atlanta]

3. Look at all the Medal of Honor winners!

Those are some serious and self-less "heroes" right there (and I do not throw out the term "hero" loosely).

[hootinholler]

28. These guys are the rare MOH recepients

The majority are awarded posthumously.

-Hoot

[Spazito]

4. Wonderful photos!

Very moving! Thanks, Jackeens, for the thread, it is much appreciated.

I love the fact that President Obama chose NOT to inform the WH press corp he was going to do this. He wanted the focus on the Medal of Honor recipients.

Recommended.

[LakeSamish706]

It's so nice to be able to take pride in our President again.... Hard to...

imagine we've been through 8 years of hell.

[HopeOverFear]

5. awwww @ him hugging them

that's so touching.

[PopSixSquish]

6. Do We Know Who the Gentleman in the Pix 1, 6 & 7 is?

Because he's making me tear up. He looks so honored and humble to meet President Obama and the fourth gentleman to the right in the first picture is openly crying.

These men are truly heroes and I rarely use that word.

[countingbluecars]

7. That first photo

makes my cry. Thanks for posting these.

[Jennicut]

8. The last two pics....very moving.

Thomas Hudner, from Wikipedia:

On December 4, 1950, while serving with VF-32 during the Korean War flying F4U-4 Corsair fighters in support of United Nations forces, he crash-landed his own plane near the Chosin reservoir in an effort to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown, another VF-32 pilot whose own F4U-4 Corsair had been shot down. He found Ensign Brown severely wounded and pinned in his cockpit by metal wreckage. Lt. Hudner worked bravely to free the injured pilot, despit severe cold, and having no tools at his disposal apart from a small hand ax. For his heroism on that occasion, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor. Hudner was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on April 13, 1951, during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. His was the first Navy Medal of Honor awarded for actions in the Korean War.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Hudner,_Jr.

Real true heroes.

[Jennicut]

9. #'s 12 and 13 pics....very moving.

Thomas Hudner, from Wikipedia:

On December 4, 1950, while serving with VF-32 during the Korean War flying F4U-4 Corsair fighters in support of United Nations forces, he crash-landed his own plane near the Chosin reservoir in an effort to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown, another VF-32 pilot whose own F4U-4 Corsair had been shot down. He found Ensign Brown severely wounded and pinned in his cockpit by metal wreckage. Lt. Hudner worked bravely to free the injured pilot, despit severe cold, and having no tools at his disposal apart from a small hand ax. For his heroism on that occasion, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor. Hudner was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on April 13, 1951, during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. His was the first Navy Medal of Honor awarded for actions in the Korean War.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._Hudner,_Jr.

Real true heroes.

[SeaLyons]

11. Wonderful pictures, very moving...

Our President is a very warm and personable man.

Thanks for posting.

:hug:

[catnhatnh]

12. Does anybody have a name for the 1st Air Cavalry guy? N/T

[Alcibiades]

13. Very moving

:patriot:

[babylonsister]

14. For some reason, this batch makes me want to cry.

Very emotional, and I really enjoyed them. Thanks, Jackeens, stellar as usual!

[1776Forever]

16. With you - Pass the tissues. Thanks for posting from Mom of 3 sons who served - Grateful to all!

It's are the ones who didn't return as well that touches your heart. Blessings to all their families and loved ones.

- :patriot:

[stillcool]

20. Me too.

[ClayZ]

34. Same here.... so I did!

Thank you, Jakeens! More wonderful photos for my President Obama folder!


K and R

[Hutzpa]

15. What was he trying to do

with the President's hand on #1, rub it to see if it changes color???

:evilgrin:

[mopinko]

17. something commander bunnypants wouldn't have done

fortified with a half gallon of jack. look at the faces of the guys waiting for him to get down the line to them!!

commander in chief fits him like a glove.

[PopSixSquish]

18. I Just Watched Video of the Event Over at Politico (Yes, I Know)

But they usually have it up the fastest.

After the laying of the wreath, President Obama walks down the row of MOH winners and greets each one of them. There is one gentleman in particular who is very, very tall and he apparently makes a basketball joke as you can hear Obama say something to the effect of "yes, you could go to the inside".

Very nice.

ETA - the tall gentleman is shown in pictures 3, 11 and 17.

[Cha]

19. Bless their hearts and

bless Prez Obama's heart.

Thank you so much for these photos of National Medal of Honor Day at Arlington Cemetary, Jackeens. I had no clue about this way of honoring our Vets.:loveya:

[jfkraus]

21. Medal of Honor Web SIte

http://www.cmohs.org/

[alsame]

22. These photos are

incredibly moving. :patriot:

Thank you, Jackeens.

[rasputin1952]

23. John Finn 99, awarded the MOH for his actions at Pearl Harbor...

7Dec1941.

I have met 2 MOH recipients, Bob Kerry and Roy Benevides.

This links to a page for the MOH Citations. Want to read an incredible story of remarkable bravery against all odds, scroll down to Benevides, Roy. The second Link takes you to the list of all MOH recipients by war:

http//www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html

http//www.history.army.mil/moh.html

[Sydnie]

24. I want to know what the guy in the white hat is thinking in #5 and #15

He gives me the willies.

Otherwise, I LOVE these pictures!

[Jackeens]

25. He didn't seem, em, too friendly in the Politico video....

About 3:45 in - http://www.politico.com/politico44/

He wasn't unpleasantly unfriendly, at all, but, well, quite cool.

[Butch350]

39. He looks like James Colburn. (the guy in the white hat)

[goclark]

26. But, but I thought the military only loved Republicans?

Something is really changing here. :hug:
Beautiful pixs as always.

[goclark]

27. But, but I thought the military only loved Republicans?

Something is really changing here. :hug:
Beautiful pixs as always.

[Skidmore]

29. Bet he was remembering his grandfather too. nt

[PopSixSquish]

30. Thank You to Whomever Identified Bob Howard - I Asked Upthread

That first picture is heartbreakingly beautiful.

Mr. Howard (Army Special Forces MACV-SOG - Vietnam) is arguably the most decorated living combat solider. Check out this list:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross (2 awards)
Silver Star
Bronze Star for Valor, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster (4 awards)
Purple Heart 7th Oak Leaf Cluster (8 awards)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster (4 awards)
Air Medal for Valor, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster (3 awards)
Army Commendation Medal for Valor, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster (4 awards)

He was awarded the MOH after being nominated 3 times in 13 months for leading a team to rescue a downed US airman behind enemy lines. He worked for the Dept of Veteran Affairs retiring in 2006.

Colonel Howard you are one BAMF and I mean that with all the love and respect in the world.

[LuckyLib]

31. This man simply knows what to do and when to do it. Then he connects with the folks there

on a respectful, personal level. All class. We are so fortunate, so honored to have him as our President.

[elleng]

32. Prepare to hug your President!

Thanks, Jackeeeeee!!!

[GiveMeFreedom]

33. As a Veteran

Nothing makes my patriotic eyeballs water up like these photos do. A sitting president has the respect and decency to honor these men, shake their hands and offer hugs of gratitude. Man! in my humble opinion, he is one of the best presidents we have had in a long time. MOH winners are rare and these guys have all my respect and admiration. Great Photos too!!

[Undercurrent]

35. I love these photos!

These guys look so happy to see our President. They remind me of my dad too. He flew photo recon missions during WWII -- North Africa and the Italian Campaign. :)

Thanks!

[Solomon]

36. This made me cry.

:cry:

[xiamiam]

37. these photos brought tears...unexpected this early am....nt

[RubyDuby in GA]

38. This makes me wonder: did Idiot Son ever attend this ceremony?

I would have thought that this is the kind of thing that the Bush White House would have splashed all over the news for days.

[bluevoter4life]

40. Just missed it

Was in DC March 12-16. Wish I could have this this momentous occasion.

[Peacetrain]

41. Oh Jackeens thank you.. My Dad was a WW2 veteran from Omaha Beach..

He died in July 2007 just as Obama was really getting going here in Iowa.. He loved Barack, and when I look at these old guys with the President I see my Dad.

I was especially touched by the fact he did not announce going so that it was THEIR day and not a photo cabal by the press that follows the President around.

He is incredibly thoughtful in situations like this..

[democrank]

42. Just beautiful, Jackeens

~Peace On Earth~

[RedstDem]

43. Thank You

great pics...