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Obama Urges Country to 'Remember' at Memorial Day Observance

About 5,000 people filled Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater on Monday.

Despite 60,000 Americans still serving in Afghanistan, most Americans are not directly touched by war, President Barack Obama said Monday at Arlington National Cemetery, as he called on the nation to simply "remember" them on Memorial Day.

Unlike World War II or Vietnam, when most people knew someone directly involved in the conflict, modern wars have been marked by an all-volunteer military and advances in technology that require fewer people.

"As a consequence, not all Americans may always see or fully grasp the depth of sacrifice, the profound costs that are made in our name — right now, as we speak, every day," Obama said. "Our troops and our military families understand this, and they mention to me their concern about whether the country fully appreciates what’s happening."

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Speaking before a crowd of 5,000 on what many consider the country's most hallowed ground, Obama described three troops who were recently killed and interred at Arlington:

  • Army Capt. Sara Cullen was 27 years old in March when the Black Hawk helicopter she was in crashed in Afghanistan, killing her and four other soldiers. Obama said she "had a smile that could light up a room" and that her mother is "proud of her daughter’s life, proud of her faith and proud of her service to our country."
  • Army Staff Sgt. Frankie Phillips was a combat medic who died in Afghanistan three weeks ago when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. "He was so humble that his parents never knew how many lives he had saved until soldiers started showing up at his funeral from thousands of miles away," Obama said.
  • Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Christian was on his sixth tour of duty when he died on May 4 escorting a high-ranking U.S. official to meet with Afghan leaders. Obama, reading part of a letter the family received from a fellow Marine after his death, said, "There were people who measured their success based on how many enemies they killed or how many missions they led to conquer a foe. Eric based his success on how many of his friends he brought home, and he brought home many — including me."

Christian was buried at Arlington National Cemetery six days ago. Cullen and Phillips were buried earlier at Arlington, both in Section 60. After speaking, the president and first lady got out of their limo to spend about a half-hour with families who had gathered in Section 60 to place roses on grave stones, according to media reports distributed by the White House.

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Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivered remarks with a somber tone. The president said next year, this country would mark its final Memorial Day in its war with Afghanistan.

Hagel recognized the surviving family members of those who have died while serving in the military, saying, "America thanks you."

"All of us in positions of responsibility must always make decisions that are worthy of your great sacrifices," he said.

The president laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence at the Tomb of the Unknowns shortly after 11 a.m. He then made his way to the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater for the national Memorial Day observance.


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